Another one just for the heck of it.
Chapter 2: Allies or Foes?
Toshiro couldn't believe what he saw. He was in the real world for a short period of time until his cell phone went off, finding a Hollow around the town. He thought it was one of his subordinates' turns. Unfortunately, his subordinates were all taking a break, making him do the job. His encounters were expected to be not so interesting, but today's sight just caught him off guard.
The Hollow was quickly gone, not to mention purified, by just a weak power that was caused by a small object. When the smoke cleared, he spotted the source of the cause.
Karin Kurosaki.
"Kurosaki?" He dropped down and landed on his feet near the girl who he didn't see for six years. He observed the grown girl with slight surprise. She was feminine by the curves that were showing, and her hair did grow longer. However, she still had the same hairstyle, tough eyes, and attitude.
Karin looked at the boy who she thought was an elementary student. He was still the captain of the tenth division, but something was a bit different about him. Was it his height or something? If it is, he was much taller than her. She guessed that he was the same height as Natsu. Karin smiled and greeted.
"Toshiro! How are you?" She smirked, spicing the conversation a bit to see him get a little pissed off.
"Did you have a growth spurt? If you did, you still look like an elementary kid." That did it. He felt a vein pulsing in his forehead and anger rushing through his veins. She was still the same Karin.
"I am not an elementary kid." He growled, making her laugh normally. He blushed and turned his head to the side, crossing his arms at the process.
He wasn't the emotional type, but how could he be embarrassed so easily? He took a quick glance at Karin who was still laughing. She was making fun of him, but he felt happy to hear her laugh. He never felt this feeling for a long time. He couldn't even remember what the emotion was called. Her laugh subsided, and she smiled like she did when she is relieved.
"It's good to see you again, Toshiro." The captain suddenly looked at her to hear her voice soften. Her voice sounded sad but happy, soft yet relieved. He never heard her voice soften since the Hollow attacked the soccer field.
"I thought I wouldn't see anyone again after the war against Aizen. Everyone moved on and left this place, but some came over for a while and later leave again. I figured that it was the best that I also moved on, so I wouldn't be a burden on my family." Toshiro smiled to hear a somewhat gratitude and relief from Karin. After Aizen was defeated, his childhood friend and sister-figure, Hinamori Momo, recovered and moved on. She was now captain in place of Aizen and was more serious on the job. She was kind toward others when she is doing her job, but in battle, she was focused and deadly. Hell, even Toshiro was scared when she was angry in battle. The others, who were vice captain, were now captains in place of their former captains.
Yamamoto had three Shinigamis in mind for vice captains and, surprisingly, the Twin Bladed Shinigami for a special job, but he said that he would wait for a few years until they appear. Toshiro didn't understand why he would wait for a few years after the appearances of many Hollows in Karakura. Then again, he was curious about the Twin Bladed Shinigami and his subordinates.
"So… why are you here?" Karin asked. Toshiro blinked and answered.
"I was here to purify the Hollow, but it seems that you already did the job." Karin was about to speak another question, but she closed it and frowned. Toshiro was curious why she didn't speak, but he frowned also.
A strong reiatsu… very strong one… was very close.
The captain quickly spun around to see a masked Shinigami. However, the mask is no ordinary mask… it was a Hollow mask.
In other words, a Vaizard.
The Hollow mask covered the identity of the suspect but didn't cover the brown hair that was tied into a low ponytail, and it had a shark fin on top of the mask. Blue markings, like Ichigo's mask, reached from the top left and right sides of the head down to the eye level. Toshiro was very wary about this massive reiatsu that matches to a vice captain… possibly stronger than Ichigo Kurosaki; if he looked behind him and saw Karin's face, she looked surprised and not cautious… like she knew this person.
"Who are you?" The white haired man asked, pushing the raven-haired girl behind him. The masked person paid no attention to the captain and focused on the girl.
"I'm not here for any trouble," the two-voiced female stated, "but if you are not in the nurse's office in the next three minutes, you might cause suspicion that you are actually skipping class." After a short message, the Vaizard disappeared without a trace.
"He disappeared. Kurosaki, what is she-" When Toshiro turned around to ask the girl, he saw Karin running to the opposite direction quickly like she had a time limit. The captain sighed and disappeared, returning to his job.
0000
Karin sighed and glared at Heiwa who crossed her arms and tapped her foot. It was already lunchtime, but Heiwa had to drag her protesting friend up to the roof and wanting answers.
"Well? Who is he?" Her brown haired friend asked calmly yet strictly. Karin stomped her foot on the ground and intensified her glare.
"Dammit! Why should I tell you? Plus, who told you that you can follow me?" Heiwa snarled and gave her the leveled glare right back.
"Karin, that person could be dangerous for all we know. Our secret would be blown if he pries too much of our 'daily' life. I can still sense his reiatsu around this town, and I am not going to allow you or any of our friends to get hurt." Karin reassured her friend about the misunderstanding, but Karin really wanted to do is punch her.
"Heiwa, this guy isn't dangerous. If he was, he would be drawing his sword at me, but he didn't." Heiwa didn't say anything about this and asked with curiosity.
"So, you know him?" Karin raised an eyebrow.
"Why should I tell you?" Heiwa knew she was going to lose her cool, but she planned something that would get something out of Karin.
"If you don't tell me, I'm suspecting that the Shinigami you met is your boyfriend." Karin blushed and argued, blowing a fuse.
"NO HE ISN'T!!"
"Then who is he? He isn't your boyfriend, and I know that you and he aren't acquainted with each other just by saying each others' names. Who is he?" Karin growled and reluctantly stated.
"He's… an old childhood friend." Heiwa raised an eyebrow.
"Childhood friend, huh?" Heiwa smirked, giving Karin a bad feeling.
"I still say he's your boyfriend." Karin blushed in million shades of red and screeched.
"YOU BOOKWORM!! I'M GONNA SMACK THAT EMPTY HEAD OF YOURS!!"
0000
Toshiro didn't know if it was coincidental after he met the Kurosaki girl. He acted like he didn't care what she did, but it still surprised him that she, out of all the humans, could purify a Hollow, let alone by one attack. He frowned when he remembered the Vaizard who wore the same mask. It has been three years, but he finally found one of the Twin Bladed Shinigami's subordinates. In other words, the Twin Bladed Shinigami was nearby.
"Toshiro!" He heard his name called by the same girl who he met a few hours ago. Whenever he was in Karakura, Karin always knew where he is. The last time he saw her was when he helped her on the soccer game five years ago and his departure for the Winter War. He said to her a farewell, but she just shook her head and said that they will see each other someday. She insisted, or forced, him to see her later, and the tenth division captain reluctantly agreed. Right now, here he was, standing on the very same place where they meet. Toshiro didn't look up from his cell phone from writing a report, but he knew that she was there beside him.
"What?" Karin twitched from the casual tone of voice he used, but she smiled, knowing he acted the same.
"Sheesh. You need to relax. I won't hurt you." She sat on the rail next to him and stared at the sunset. It has been five years since she was with him, but the sunset reminded her of some memories from her past. They sat in silence for a few moments until Karin broke it.
"Hey, Toshiro?" Karin still heard the cell phone numbers pounding when her friend didn't answer, but she knew he was listening.
"Why are you here? Is it another assignment from Soul Society?" He didn't answer, but Karin continued.
"I'm just curious, but if it's about the strong Hollows showing up in town, I understand." She heard the cell phone snap shut and his voice.
"No." She was surprised. If it wasn't the strong Hollows, then what is it?
"If it isn't the strong Hollows, then why are you here?" He started to walk away and answered.
"To search for the Twin Bladed Shinigami." Karin stood up and walked after him. Dammit! She wasn't even finished with her questions.
"Wait up! I want to ask more questions! Toshiro!" The white haired young man was a little annoyed about the young woman pestering him for answers, but he slowed down his speed for her to catch up. Karin caught up with him, panted a bit, and began to ask.
"Is anyone here besides you?" Toshiro nodded and looked at her without moving his head.
"Hai. Matsumoto Rangiku, Ayasegawa Yumichika, and Mada-" He suddenly stopped speaking and stopped, and Karin now was worried what made him cease to continue that she looked at him straight in the eyes and asked.
"Who?" However, her question fell to deaf ears as Karin stared at the worried Toshiro. What was Toshiro worried about?
"What happened?"
"Nani?"
"What happened to you?" Oh… that. Karin just smiled and touched her bandage on her forehead. So that's what Toshiro was worried about.
Her injuries.
"This is nothing. I had a fight with my friend at school first…" she pointed to the bandage on her cheek and arm, "and this is from soccer practice." Karin touched the bandage on her forehead.
"Don't worry about me. I'm used to it for a long time." Toshiro sighed in slight relief and continued to walk forward. Damn girl gets injured, and she said that it's okay. He must be getting softer. Karin noticed that her friend started to walk again, so she followed.
"I'll say it again. And who?"
"Madarame Ikkaku." She nodded and understood. In her head, she was getting a little sense out of this. Soul Society wanted to find the Twin Bladed Shinigami, so they sent Ichigo's friends to town to find him. Suddenly, Toshiro's cell phone went off, and Karin sensed three strong reiatsus. They both whispered.
"Hollows." Toshiro took out a soul pill and popped one in his mouth, separating himself from his gigai. Karin was about to chase after him, but his gigai grabbed her arm. She turned around and tried to pry her arm from his grip.
"Let go! I need to follow him!" The gigai shook his head.
"I can't let you do that. The captain would take care of them." Just before she could retaliate, she sensed another reiatsu. However, this reiatsu was stronger than Toshiro's and was more familiar.
This wasn't good. If any of the Shinigamis are going to fight him, none of them is going to make it out alive. She bit her lip and grabbed his shoulders. She's going to spill the beans, but she needs the gigai to trust her.
"Listen. You have to believe me. Toshiro and the others are going to be in danger if they fight this guy. I will tell you some things what I know, but I need you to promise me that you would never tell a soul until it is revealed." The gigai looked at her with suspicion, but his eyes widened when he saw her eyes are welling up. The gigai gulped and nodded, hoping that she doesn't cry or lie. She released her breath and wiped her eyes before any of them fell.
"All right. Here goes."
0000
"Taichou!" A strawberry blond haired woman called out to her captain. Toshiro looked back to see his subordinate and two other Shinigamis following him. When they were halfway to their destination, they immediately sensed a strong reiatsu near the Hollows.
"Could that be Kurosaki's?" The pretty boy asked. The bald headed man concentrated on the identity of the reiatsu; however, he shook his head in a negative way.
"No way. This reiatsu is much stronger than him. It could be one of the Twin Bladed Shinigami's allies." Toshiro narrowed his eyes, remembering the Vaizard who appeared undetected.
"Be on high alert, everyone. I have a bad feeling about this." The four quickened their paces to reach to the location. Unknown to them, Karin was following them through the neighborhood, and she was trying to stop them from fighting him. The raven haired girl stopped to catch her breath and looked up to see them gone. She growled in anger and frustration, stomping her foot down. It looks like she has to use the alternative choice. Karin scanned her surroundings and double checked to see if anyone was around.
That's good. No one is here.
Karin took a deep breath and concentrated on the strong reiatsu. She looked up and disappeared without a trace. Then, a strong wind followed after she disappeared.
Back to the four Shinigamis, they arrived on the cliff to see the battle scene taking place in the forest between the Hollows…
… and another Vaizard. The Vaizard was jumping on the Hollows' heads, taunting them and confusing them. He had a Hollow mask with an upside down triangle mark on the cheeks. Another three upside down triangle marks were on his forehead that were pointing down between the eyes, except the middle triangle was larger than the other two. Two horns on both sides of his mask were hovering over his ears, and two canine teeth on the end of the mouth. The group observed his actions around the Hollows. It seems that he was just like Ikkaku but a little more daring. The Vaizard jumped on top of the Hollow's head and saw an upcoming hand from behind. Then, he leaped away from the grasp, making the Hollow grab one of its companions head and pulled it down to the ground.
"Come on, you stupid Hollows! Show me your full power!" The two voiced male shouted in enjoyment. One Hollow screeched and tried to swap the Vaizard in the air. However, he leaped and landed on the hand first. He grabbed the hilt of the sword and pulled it out from his left side.
"Tch. You, three, are not worth a challenge." He said as the sword glowed red.
"Taichou…" Rangiku gasped, recognizing the weapon. Toshiro nodded and knew what was coming up next.
"Let the blood shine in the night. Come, Akatsuki (Red Moon)!" The sword glowed bright red in the hands of the Vaizard, changing the form of his sword. The blade was no longer metal but red as blood. The end of the hilt had a long cloth bandage that looked like it was used and old, and the bandage flew with the wind. The Hollows were now alert and attacked directly at the Vaizard. When their hands were close to the Vaizard, he disappeared in a blink of an eye. The Shinigamis sensed his reiatsu disappear and concentrated on tracing the massive reiatsu. He quickly appeared on the cliff in front of the group, surprising them with no end.
"Whoa! He's quick!" Yumichika stated. Ikkaku was a bit surprised and grinned, looking forward to fighting the Vaizard in the future. Rangiku took a step back, but Toshiro jumped back a few feet away from the Vaizard, being surprised by the speed of the mysterious Vaizard. The Vaizard held his red sword up in the sky, and the sword glowed. The Hollows look up at the cliff to sense the strong reiatsu and see the sword glow.
"Too late!!" The Vaizard brought his sword down, sending one crescent toward the middle Hollow. When the crescent was halfway, it spit into three fiery crescents toward the Hollows in rushing speed. At the same time, the crescents sliced through the Hollows in half, destroying the Hollows and purifying them. The battle was over, but the sword was still out. Suddenly, the Vaizard turned around and pointed his sword to the group.
"Those three were nothing, but you may be able to entertain me." Toshiro grabbed the hilt of his sword while the others jumped back and grabbed the hilts. However, in a quick second, Toshiro felt pain all over his body, mainly his chest, and felt the ground on his back, hard. He heard Rangiku, Yumichika, and Ikkaku either grunted in pain or yelled in major pain. Toshiro opened his eyes to see the Vaizard holding his sword down. How could this Vaizard be so quick and inflict damage before they can draw out their weapons? His thoughts were cut off when he saw the blade up in the air, glowing like it did for the Hollows.
"You guys are no fun."
"YAMERO!" Toshiro's eyes widened when he immediately saw the raven-haired girl in front of him, arms open to block the view between Toshiro and the Vaizard. Rangiku gasped, and the other two blinked in surprise.
"Ichigo's sister?!" Karin ignored Rangiku's surprise and the gasps from Ikkaku and Yumichika, and she glared at the Vaizard in front of her.
"Yamero! You won the battle against the Hollows! There's no need to fight anyone else!" Toshiro gnashed his teeth and shouted at Karin.
"Kurosaki! What are you doing here?! Get out of here!" Karin shook her head, disobeying the captain of the tenth division. Toshiro struggled to get up, but the pain on his chest and arms were too much to bare, not to mention losing blood in the process. The Vaizard growled and pointed his sword to the girl.
"Move. They are here for something else other than to eliminate all Hollows. Step aside, so I would kill them." Karin retaliated.
"No! I won't let you do that!"
"Why not?!" Karin snarled and stomped her foot on the ground.
"I won't let you hurt them because they are my friends! Toshiro helped me a long time ago, and I won't let you hurt any of them, even Toshiro!" The Vaizard stood still for a bit and sighed, drawing his sword back into his sheath.
"Fine." Karin sighed in relief and dropped her hands.
"However, I'll give them only one condition." The Vaizard crossed his arms and walked toward the cliff. Karin gulped and asked.
"What? What condition?" The Vaizard turned his head half way and spoke.
"If they were to sense any of us nearby, they will not follow us or eliminate any Hollows once we get to our destination." Karin looked back to the injured group, waiting for an answer from them. Toshiro sighed and nodded.
"Fine." Ikkaku nodded and pointed at the masked Vaizard with his good hand.
"I can't make any promises if I meet the guy again." Yumichika sighed and nodded, not going to deal with a powerful Vaizard who damaged his hair and skin. Rangiku nodded, agreeing with the Vaizard's condition and worrying about the captain's condition. Once the agreement was done, the Vaizard nodded and disappeared without a trace or reiatsu. For a few seconds, Karin sat on the ground in exhaustion. Dealing with that Vaizard was a piece of cake, but stopping him from killing anyone other than Hollows was difficult to handle, let alone one human.
"Kurosaki." Karin turned her attention to the captain who struggled to get up behind her. Rangiku tried to help him sit up, but Toshiro swatted her hand away and sat up enough to see Karin. His eyes were staring at her with question, along with everyone else. Karin knew she was screwed, and she hoped that a certain someone would get here quickly as possible. Toshiro broke her thoughts when he asked… no… demanded answers.
"Kurosaki. Tell us everything what was going on during these three years and the two Vaizards you were familiar with." Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Rangiku were surprised and were about to ask Toshiro that he and Karin encountered the two Vaizards, but Toshiro glared at them to shut up. Karin was sweating bullets, feeling the pressure and the beating of her heart. Did she have to go through this?
"Well… ano… how should I start?"
"Hello?! Is everyone all right?!" They suddenly heard another two-voiced person coming somewhere in the forest, saving Karin the trouble from explaining. They sensed another reiatsu, but this one was weaker than Ichigo and the other Vaizard. Karin sighed and yelled out.
"There are three injured Shinigamis and one critical injured captain, but we're alive!" Then, another Vaizard jumped out of the bushes and landed on her rear.
"Itai…" She moaned and rubbed her rear. The group sweat dropped, and Karin slapped her forehead. The Vaizard's mask had three leaf marks on the forehead: one in between the eyes and the other two next to its eyes. Karin stood up and walked toward the fallen Vaizard. She held out her hand, and the Vaizard grabbed hers with the opposite hand and thanked Karin. The raven-haired girl shook her head with a smile and pointed to the group behind her.
"Not yet. You need to heal them." The Vaizard looked at the injured group and gasped.
"Don't tell me. He did it again." Karin nodded with a little anger. The weak Vaizard sighed and called out.
"Hi, Hoshi, Tsuki!" Three balls of energy swirled above the Vaizard's head and floated toward Rangiku, Ikkaku, and Yumichika. Karin tapped the Vaizard's shoulder and whispered.
"Hey… could you tell everything during the three years and about the others? I'm… kind of stuck on how to start this off." The Vaizard stared at the raven-haired girl with her yellow eyes. She nodded her head, agreeing to help out.
"You got yourself in this mess, but I'm glad that he didn't kill anyone or you. I'll help you out a little bit." Karin smiled and nodded in relief.
"Arigato." The two walked to the surprised and wary group. At first, there was an awkward silence, but Karin cleared her throat and spoke.
"All right, then. I don't know how to start, but my… ano…"
"Vaizard." Toshiro pointed out, and Karin glared at him.
"… friend, who happens to be a Vaizard in Toshiro's description, would start what happened during the three years and who were the other two Vaizards." The Vaizard sat down and crossed her arms. Karin sat next to her, feeling the tension on her.
"I don't have any intentions on giving my name away, but I will start on how Karin and we, Vaizards, met. It was around two years ago, and we sensed a Hollow nearby. My two companions and I were tracking down the Hollow. However, we didn't know that Karin was stalking us."
"I was following you guys, not stalking." The Vaizard rolled her eyes and continued, ignoring the statement.
"Well… the Hollow, we fought, was difficult to handle. It was one of the stronger Hollows we rarely detect around the town. My two companions were greatly injured, and I was exhausted from the continuous healing. The Hollow had a sword on its back and drew it, ready to strike one of us." Rangiki narrowed her eyes and whispered.
"Arrancar." The Vaizard scratched her neck and nodded.
"If that's what you called it. We thought we were done for, but Karin intercepted by kicking a soccer ball toward the Hollow. We thought it wasn't going to work, but when the ball made contact on the mask, the ball exploded, purifying the Arrancar. We were suspicious and asked what kind of powers she had for a human. She was lucky that our leader wasn't around, or things would be beyond bad." Toshiro gapped a bit and stared at the human in front of him.
"You were fighting an Arrancar?!" The white haired captain shouted in surprise before he winced in pain and shut his mouth up. The Vaizard blinked and observed the wound. Karin winced at the volume that Toshiro had used when he told her that he wasn't an elementary student. Memories are painful once you experience it before.
"It looks like my companion did a number on you. I only have enough energy to heal the chest, but you need someone else to heal you on the other wounds." The Vaizard's spirit friends flew away from the three Shinigamis, who no longer have wounds to repair, and flew over Toshiro's chest.
"Karin would explain a little about me and my two companions after I finish. When she said that she could only see Shinigamis and other spirits, good and bad, we figured out that she only had those kinds of power other than kicking. We also asked her to promise us not to tell anyone about our existence. That's why she kept us a secret, but that secret would eventually be known to others." The Vaizard went silent and nudged Karin's arm, signaling her to tell the Shinigamis about them. Karin nodded and reluctantly informed the Shinigamis.
"I only know some things about the Vaizards, Toshiro and I encountered. This Vaizard…" She patted the female Vaizard's head and smiled.
"… is the only Vaizard you could count on. She could heal anyone and cure anyone, and she is honest. You can trust her." The Vaizard didn't do anything but sat down, squirming in slight embarrassment. Karin's smile turned into a frown, and her eyes darkened.
"The Vaizard, you all fought, is… complicated to understand. You can count on him sometimes, but he loves challenges. He also loses his better judgment and just plays around in a real battle. I would recommend staying away from him if he is in a middle of a battle." Everyone, except the confusing Vaizard, looked at Ikkaku who was confused.
"Nani?" They shook their heads and turned their attention to the raven-haired girl. Then, she fumed, ranting about the Vaizard.
"He doesn't even recognize his own mistakes. That jerk! Every time I stop him from attacking someone else or anyone else, he just gives me the cold shoulder and leaves!" The group blinked and looked at the girl who was stomping the ground with all her might. The Vaizard murmured something, but Karin heard it.
"What was that?" The Vaizard shook her head.
"Nothing." Karin looked at the Vaizard, incredulously, before continuing on.
"The Vaizard, who Toshiro and I met…" She trailed off, thinking for an explanation. Everyone was waiting for something to come out of her mouth before Toshiro asked.
"What do you think about the Vaizard we met in your school?" Karin was concentrating and bit her lip in frustration.
"I only know that she… was staring at me... like I have something that they don't have. She seems calm in battles like she never took it seriously. Gomen ne. That's all I know." When Toshiro felt his chest healed, the spirits disappeared without a trace. The Vaizard stood up and bowed.
"Gomen ne. I have to go. My… friend needs me back home." The Vaizard was about to disappear, but Yumichika guessed.
"Is your friend the Twin Bladed Shinigami?" The Vaizard stiffened and turned her head around to meet the pretty boy.
"How do you know about my friend?" Yumichika shrugged.
"Didn't you guys fight with us during the Hollow Invasion three years ago?" The Vaizard said nothing and disappeared, leaving nothing behind. Karin shook her head and told them a little more about them, in slight anger.
"I don't think you know what happened." The attention was now on her, and she felt a little more confident.
"I don't know what happened either, but I assumed that they lost their memories or they are trying to recover some dignity after the invasion. I would recommend that you shouldn't say anything about their past, or you would lose trust in them." Yumichika's jaw dropped, and Ikkaku sputtered.
"How the hell do you know that?" An anime vein appeared on her forehead as the raven-haired girl glared at the bald Shinigami.
"For Kami-sama's sake! Do you think I am that stupid?! I know this, Soul Society, the Winter War, the Hollow Invasion, and Shinigamis because my brother is also a Shinigami! Have you forgotten Ichigo Kurosaki?!" Silence engulfed around them while Karin was fuming in anger like she was going to kill someone... mainly the bald guy. Ikkaku sweated in bullets and put his hands up in defense. Karin was scarier than Ichigo, especially if it wasn't physical battle related.
"Hai. Hai." Suddenly, they sensed Hollows around the town. Toshiro was about to stand up and go, but the vice captain of the tenth division put her hand on his shoulder.
"Taicho. I think it would be best that you and Karin-chan leave this to us while you rest." Toshiro grunted and nodded, feeling the pain lingering in his body parts. Rangiku looked at the raven-haired girl and said.
"Take care of Hitsugaya-taicho." Karin nodded in agreement as the three Shinigami's disappeared in the forest. Karin stared at the forest for a few seconds before she turned her attention to the injured captain. She knelt down and asked.
"Is your right arm still fine?" Toshiro nodded, letting her know that it was still in good use. Karin smiled and lifted his right arm to wrap around her neck. She carefully used her left arm to hold his waist. Karin started to walk and making sure that Toshiro wasn't stumbling much.
"Kurosaki." Karin heard him whisper and nodded.
"Hai?"
"What about the Twin Bladed Shinigami?" Karin was silent for a moment, trying to think for an answer.
"I don't know. Gomen ne. I never met the Twin Bladed Shinigami in person." Toshiro sighed and continued to walk along with the girl. She felt bad, so Karin offered something.
"Hey, Toshiro. After you return to your gigai, would you pretend to be knocked out or asleep while I carry you to my home? I need to think of a good excuse why I was late, or otou-san would change my curfew to an earlier time." Toshiro nodded.
"Fine" Karin sighed and looked ahead. Toshiro knew that he would lose conscious after he returned to his body, but he had to put up some energy without being a burden to Karin. He felt like he has to pay a huge debt since she gave him enough information about the three Vaizards and saved him and his fellow companions from the Vaizard. Toshiro gave one last glance to the girl and looked back to the view ahead of them. She was still the tomboy friend he knew, but she looked stronger and more matured over the six years.
Unknown to Toshiro, Karin's thoughts were now in a scramble and panicking. Oh yeah. She was definitely screwed. They were going to do more than kill her. Karin made a mental note to take aspirin and pain killers out of the counter before she would have to meet them in the next little meeting. She took one last glance at the injured captain and back to the road ahead of them. He was still the serious and cold friend she knew, but he knows how to accept kindness from others and being kind back.
Now... how to make a good excuse... Karin wondered and planned.
