The next morning found Karin waking up in a new room and that startled her at first before she remembered the previous day and sighed.

"Well, another day for the married." she said sarcastically while sitting up and going to find clothes to wear and take a bath, when there came a knock on her door.

"Come in."

"Goon morning Karin-chan, I came to tell you breakfast is almost ready and if you'd like to come with me...?" said Momo when the door was opened.

"Yes, ok. Just let me take a shower and I'll be right down."

"I'll wait for you here if you don't mind."

"Suit yourself." and with that she went into the bathroom locking the door, while Momo made her bed and then sat on it.


While Karin was on the bathroom, another knock came on the door.

"Coming..." said Momo while going for the door and opening it. What she saw, however, she didn't expect.

"Shiro-kun..? What are you doing here?"

"I came to invite Karin to breakfast. What are you doing here?" he replied looking suspicious.

"Well I just..." begun Momo when the door to the bathroom opened to reveal a freshly showered Karin wearing her white puffy rob.

"Toshiro…? You got to stop coming right after I took a bath."

"Well, it's not my fault you know, I just came to invite you to breakfast." he said looking the other way with pink cheeks, while Momo looked from Toshiro to Karin bewildered, then bursting out laughing

"Wait. You mean... that... this… has happened... before? How is that even possible? You just came yesterday." she said between laughs before she controlled herself enough to speak properly.

"Well, it happened yesterday. It seems we just have horrible timing." said Karin while going to the closet to take her clothes for the day. Momo just had a huge grin on her face while thinking that Matsumoto had to learn about this and replying

"Well, I on the other hand believe you have perfect timing. Well then. Since Karin-chan got her husband for company, what's a girl to do but leave them enjoy their time together. I'll see you downstairs Karin-chan, Shiro-kun." and with that she left without hearing the complaints that came from Toshiro and Karin about leaving them alone.


When he knew that Momo couldn't, or wanted for that matter, hear him anymore, he just announced Karin that he would wait for her outside to get ready and then they could go together.

Thankfully, he didn't have to wait for long 'cause ten minutes later Karin emerged from her room wearing long blue gym pants with a white hoodie and shoes that she could move easily around. Her hair was up in a high ponytail again.

He just eyed her suspiciously.

"What? I thought that maybe after, I could go do a little training in the gym. Can I not?" she said while glaring back at him. At that he shrugged and followed her down the way to the dinning room where the breakfast, or all the food related for that matter, took place.


Matsumoto and Momo were already there, and considering by the looks they gave them, Momo had already told Rangiku about the incident that took place yesterday and this morning.

Toshiro just grumbled something under his breath and sat on his chair with red cheeks while Karin sat quietly too in her chair a little embarrassed too. They were both sure that they wouldn't live it down.

They all began eating in silence with the exception of a little snickering from Matsumoto and Momo here and there.

After breakfast, Karin decided that this was a good time to leave from all the embarrassment by going to the gym. From before she wanted to go, but now she had another reason to do so.


An hour or so later, Toshiro went to the gym too wearing appropriate clothing to do a little training himself and to see what else she would do. Her reactions were always so unexpected that he didn't know what to do anymore, but that was what made him not to be able to stay away from her for long.

When he entered, he saw her practising with a sword to one of the practise dolls that they had. He just leaned to the doorframe and watched her.

She was good, but not too perfect. Suddenly she stopped, turning around and eyeing him suspiciously.

"How long have you been standing there watching me?" he left from his seat and went up to her grabbing a sword of his own in the process and twirling it in his hands like it was just a mere knife.

"Oh, long enough to notice that you could use a little lesson on this."

"Really…? Well then, care to show me by sparring a little?" she replied crossing her hands in front of her chest

"I would love to, but not with real swords. We wouldn't want you getting hurt now, would we?"

"Oh, don't be a baby and..." she cut herself as he made a quick move that she didn't even see and had her pinned to the ground with the sword above her throat and him standing there triumph.

"See what I mean?" he said bringing the sword up and offering her his hand to sit up which she didn't take and sat up herself.

"You just got me by surprise, that's all. Now come… I'm ready." she said getting up and taking a fighting stance. He just sighed and charged at her and within seconds, their previous position with her pinned down and he on top took place again. She just glared at him. He took his sword again and went down to be on eye level with her.

"Just listen to me and let's train with fake swords. I could teach you what I know and you'll become way better than you are now. I admit that you're good, so please admit that I'm better." he finished with a smirk helping her up.

"Okay, I admit defeat… for now." she added as she saw him grinning

"What can you show me?"

"First, you have to learn..." and they trained for hours. They would have trained more, if not for Matsumoto telling them that dinner was ready.

They called it a day at that, since they were both sweating and pretty hungry considering they didn't have lunch.

What they did have though was a good time together. Maybe this marriage wasn't gonna be as difficult as they first thought.


When they went to dinner they were alone, since Momo was out for the day and Matsumoto had already ate, so they ate in silence.

"You know, the day after tomorrow, I have to go to a neighbouring kingdom to ensure the peace that we have. It's a two days trip to go and two days to return. Would you like to come with me?" he broke the silence as they neared their bedrooms. When she eyed him suspiciously he added

"Well, you don't have to. I just thought that since you are my wife now and so the queen of this kingdom, I figured that you would like to know how everything works. We could also have more time to train since we'll be together. But if you don't want to, it's okay."

"No... I would love to come with you. As you already mentioned, I should learn how everything works. And also if you're gone for all these days, cause it's not only the road trip but the negotiations time too, you couldn't train me and you promised you would, so... Yes I'll come." she answered as they were outside their bedrooms now talking. He just smiled at that and nodded.

"Okay, tomorrow I'll get everything ready for our departure. We will begin our journey at five o' clock in the morning the day after tomorrow, and since it's so early, I don't want to wake everyone up so everything has to be ready a day prior."

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then. Please notify me when you start getting ready and what to take. I want to help too. Okay?"

"Will do… See you tomorrow. Goodnight." and he pecked her on the cheek before opening his door and going inside for some much needed rest.

She just sat there for a few minutes touching the spot he had kissed before going inside too with a small smile on her face.


The next day passed fairly quickly, with getting ready and blushing a little here and there.

Toshiro had told her to take warm clothes since where they were going was gonna be much colder than here; and here was cold enough.

They got everything ready, telling Matsumoto that she had to be responsible even for a little while, which she didn't take well as she said that she was always responsible.

He just sighed at that… He knew that when time called for it she really could surprise them all even though if most of the time she looked way too care free.

When night time came, they were outside of their rooms again talking.

"So, you go and get yourself some rest, because the days that are to come are gonna be full until we reach the palace. I will come and wake you up at half past four, because we have to be on the road when five comes to get to the next town at night. Okay?"

"Okay. See you tomorrow."

"Have a good night's rest." and with that he kissed her again on the cheek before disappearing inside his room. She smiled again and went inside too.

She could get used to these small kisses of his.


At half past four sharp, Karin was awoken by soft knocking on her door. She opened her eyes sleepily, wore her robe and went and opened it.

At the sight of Toshiro being completely dressed and ready for leaving, she woke up fully remembering that today was the day that they were supposed to be leaving for their journey.

"Oh my... did I oversleep? I'm so sorry… I'll get ready right away." and she left leaving the door open.

"Relax. It's only half past four. You have half an hour to get ready." he said walking inside and closing the door behind him so that they wouldn't wake the rest of the residents of the palace. At his statement she stopped looking for clothes to wear and turned to look at him.

"If it's so early, why are you up and fully dressed…?"

"Well, I usually wake up really early. I can't stay in bed for long since I was little. Anyway, get ready because the sooner we leave, the sooner we get to rest in an inn. There is one I always go when I travel through that road. It's not your five-star hotel, but it's clean and it always has a room reserved for me. The owner already knows that I would be going today, since months prior, so hurry up. I'll wait outside for you to get ready, okay?"

"Yep… Just let me take a shower and I'll be right out." she replied as he closed the door on his way out.


True to her word, he didn't have to wait long.

Fifteen minutes or so later, she emerged from her room wearing horse riding clothes, since they were going to ride horses there, and ready to leave. He eyed her up and down, looking for anything that might be missing, before nodding his approval and going to the stables to begin their journey.

They had two horses, fully packed with their clothes and necessities like food and water for the road, which they were riding. After they made a last minute check, to see if they had forgotten anything, they left.


With the exception of little breaks for food and for the horses to rest, the trip was peaceful and silent, since they had their minds set on arriving on time. That was a good thing, considering that about nine o'clock at night they were already to the place that they were to rest.

"You go and secure the horses, while I go to find us rooms to sleep." and he went inside while she took the horses to the stables to let them rest.


"Hitsugaya-sama… In what do I own the pleasure of your visit?" asked the man behind the bar with a smile on his face. He was tall with long black wavy hair, and he was wearing a kimono with a big straw hat on his head that was a little too big for him and it was hiding his eyes.

"I'm on my way to seal a deal with another kingdom, and I would like to rent two rooms for the night. My companion and I were travelling all day and we would like to rest." replied Toshiro

"You have another person with you? That's strange, most of the time you were coming alone if I remember correctly. Is he your guard by any chance?"

"No, actually..." he started but then Karin came inside and interrupting him by talking

"Toshiro, the horses are ready. Have you found us rooms?" she asked and both men turned and watched her. Kyouraku just smirked and turned to Toshiro again.

"Hitsugaya-sama, you didn't tell me your companion was a beautiful young woman. How are you doing miss? My name is Kyouraku Shunsui but you can call me Kyouraku. I'm the owner of this inn and a friend of Hitsugaya-sama's. He always comes here when he passes by. And who might you be?" he said while standing up and going in front of Karin, taking and kissing her palm. Karin just looked at him for a few seconds like he was crazy, and then turned to Toshiro who was scowling and coming to separate them. She was his wife damn it.

When he had stepped between Karin and Kyouraku, he begun explaining with a scowl while Kyouraku just smirked

"Actually, as I was about to say, she is my wife. I brought her with me. Now, about the rooms… Do you have any for us?"

"Hitsugaya-sama... I didn't know you got married. My apologies… I have a room to give you. It's not big, but I believe that for a night it is enough. Here, the key. It is the door that has the number five on. Have a good night's rest and have fun." he said handing them their key before winking and going at the back, probably to where the kitchen was.

"Wait… what...? Hey..." Toshiro begun to protest but then sighed and started going in the direction of the rooms with Karin following.

When they were at the room that was given to them, they closed the door and went further inside. Kyouraku was right, it may not be big but it was cosy and comfortable for the night. It had a double bed, an armchair that you could lay on and a door that went to a small bathroom with a toilet, a sink, a mirror and a small bathtub.

Toshiro showed Karin the bed while he went to the chair.

"Sorry about that. You can get the bed, and I'll sleep here since it's my fault that we are in this mess in the first place." said Toshiro while getting comfortable.

"What the hell are you saying? It's not your fault that he misunderstood. Besides, we may not sleep on the same bed, but the part that we are married was true so it's only natural to give us one room. Now, come here. I'm not the only one that is tired. Besides, you'll have the one side and I the other. As long as you don't try something I'm okay with it…" she said while blushing at the last part a little as Toshiro turned to look at her with an odd look.

"Are you asking me to sleep with you?"

"I only said you can also sleep in the bed. Don't misunderstand. If you want to sleep on an uncomfortable armchair be my guest though." she said while turning around to go on the bed.

"No, no. Okay. It's just that I thought that you liked to have your space, that's all." he said getting up and going to lie on the bed instead. Then there was silence. Each was on his side and thinking until finally the stress of the day took over and they fell on a dreamless sleep.


The next morning found Karin getting up to the voice of her husband, telling her to get up because they had to leave. She did just that and groaned.

Toshiro had already bathed and was putting his t-shirt on, considering his pants were already securely on his legs.

She must admit; he had a nice body with a mouth-watering six-pack adoring his abs. She couldn't help but stare a little and it didn't go unnoticed by Toshiro who smirked and stretched so she could have a better view.

"Like what you see?" he asked while his grin grew tenfold when her face took a scarlet colour.

"Don't be silly. It's just that I haven't fully woken up yet. Now get out of here so I can change too." She replied getting up and out of bed. When he gaped at her though, it was her time to smirk while she continued from her last statement

"Unless you'd like to come take a bath with me?" and it was his turn to turn an even deeper scarlet than she had before while throwing a faint 'no, I'll just wait outside' and leaving out of the door like the place had caught on fire and he should be outside to save himself.

She just smirked more and went to take her bath and get ready for the departure.


Twenty-five or so minutes later, Karin emerged from the door and saw Toshiro leaning on the wall opposite their bedroom door.

When he caught a glimpse of her coming out fully clothed, he stood up from his comfortable position and began walking towards the stairs with her following, so they could have breakfast and then leave to continue their journey.

At breakfast, time passed agonisingly slow for both of them in silence. They ate and got up after twenty minutes of awkward silence, that by the way seemed like centuries to both, and went to the stables so they could take their horses and resume their trip.


The whole road-trip continued in silence, unless they stopped for a little rest, where they could do nothing but talk.

Thankfully, after some time on their breaks, the awkwardness finally passed and they started talking about the training and he taught her a little more.

Finally, when the day came to its end and the night sky was above their heads lighting the way with its stars and the lonely moon, they could make out the castle that was their destination all along. They were mere minutes away and they were genuinely thankful for that as they once again were tired.


When they finally were in front of the double iron doors, they got to the ground since they thought that they should walk the rest of the way.

An old man came to greet them, with gray hair and a wrinkled face, when they went to leave their horses to rest.

"Hitsugaya-sama, my masters were waiting for your arrival. We have a room ready for you, but we didn't expect you to come with company."

"It's my wife, Karin. You must have surely heard that I got married a few days back."

"My deepest apologies, Hitsugaya-sama… miss… Please, follow me to your room. Master will see you first thing in the morning, but for now, you may rest. If you request anything, please don't hesitate to ask of me to give it to you." And with that, the old man in the black clothes went to the way of the castle with them following.


The room they were given was huge. It had a fluffy comfortable double-bed, with all the necessities needed inside a room. It even had a feast prepared, since they already thought that when Toshiro came, with or without a company, he would be pretty hungry.

The man just bowed and left wishing them a pleasant night, while he closed the door behind him. Then and there, the awkward silence returned since they were alone in a bedroom with a bed and they knew that the previous night would repeat itself.

Surprisingly, Toshiro was the one to break the tense that was building in there by clearing his throat.

"Well, you heard the man. We better get ready for sleep. You can go and change in the bathroom, while I change here." And while he said that, he went towards his things that were on the floor, to take his clothes. She just nodded with a pink hue on her cheeks and went to take her things herself too and did as she was told.


While Karin was inside the bathroom getting ready, Toshiro had worn black pyjama pants and a white t-shirt and was currently lying on the bed, while his mind was threatening to explode by all the thoughts that passed through it in such short notice.

'How am I gonna survive through this if I keep thinking like that. I just got married and I already have dirty thoughts about my wife. Oh, kami. What have I done to get through this torture? Was I not a good Samaritan?'

His thoughts were interrupted as his mind went blank yet again when she opened the door and stepped out.

She was wearing a deep blue night gown with her hands clasped together in front of her shyly while she started walking towards the other side of the bed that Toshiro was on.

His eyes, even though he didn't told them to, were following her every move till she lay beside him and turned to look at him with a red face.

His face turned red too then, as he realised he was looking a little too much and cleared his throat, while trying very hard to look at her in the eyes and only in the eyes.

"You look… nice… Well, goodnight." He said to her and then turned around so that she wouldn't see his steadily more reddening face. She replied with a faint 'thank you, goodnight to you too' and turned on her side as well.

After some moments of total silence, and an awkward air, they drifted off to dream-land while dreaming of one another.


The next morning, Karin woke up by the noise of a soft knocking on the door. As she tried to stand up though, she figured that she couldn't because two strong arms held her down with a firm grip on her waist.

That was when she fully woken up and remembered that she wasn't alone in her room, but in a bed with Toshiro in a far away kingdom that they came to negotiate.

She didn't remember though that they slept in this position, so she figured that they must have moved during sleep. Now they were facing each other in the middle of the bed.


The soft knocking came again and this time Toshiro groaned waking up while Karin just looked at him startled and a little frightened.

As he opened his eyes, he was greeted with the deep blue that had the eyes of his wife. But that couldn't be. He strictly remembered that he got into bed the night before with his back to her. He couldn't possibly be seeing her eyes right now... unless... his eyes narrowed at the realization as he felt his hands holding something soft and he let go of her like she was made out of fire and he got burned.

They looked at each other with wide eyes for a few seconds that to them it seemed like centuries, when they heard the man on the door that had awoken them knock once again.

That thankfully made them to come out of the trance that they were into, made their faces turned red and Toshiro finally got out of bed to go answer it while she sat there looking at the direction of the door.

On the other side of the door was the battler from yesterday.

"Good morning Hitsugaya-sama. Have you and your wife had a good night's sleep?"

"Yeah, you could say that… Anyway, have your masters awoken yet so to meet me?" he said first looking at Karin from over his shoulder, and then looking in front of him again.

"Yes. That is why I came to inform you, and I'm terribly sorry for waking you. Would you like me telling them that you wish to rest some more?"

"No, no need to do that. Just give us a few minutes to get ready and we'll be right down."

"As you wish… I'll inform them that you'll be down shortly. Breakfast is already served in the dinning room where they are now. They'll be waiting for you there."

"All right… I already know where it is anyway so we'll be right down." and after the deep bow that came from the man, he closed the door and turned to look at his wife.

"I'm sorry. I didn't ask you if you wanted to come. I just assumed... You know what, don't come. It will be boring anyway. Just stay in bed for a little while longer to rest." he said as he was going up to her

"No, it's okay. That's one of the reasons I came with you in the first place anyway." she replied getting up and he nodded at her decision, turning around and going to his clothes. He got out a pair of clothes and began going to the bathroom.