A/N: I'm really sorry for the late update! You know how it is, what with reality pushing you away from what you love. Hopefully this odd yet refreshing new chapter will make up for it! :D It's something totally unplanned (as if anything I write is planned XD) and has a few parts from the sequel. Enjoy!
Edited 01/11/2012
Game Over
With the thought of saving Karin in mind, Kiyomori ignored the rain suddenly pouring from the sky as he ran towards the Kurosaki residence that same night. He couldn't let this relationship of theirs go on any longer. Boyfriend or not, Hitsugaya was a dangerous creature and he refused to risk her life.
It wasn't long before the bishōnen stood in front of her house. All of his weight rested on his knees as he crouched over, panting as if he had just ran around the country. Kiyomori hastily knocked when he caught his breath.
"What do you want, Nakamura?"
Stunned by his sudden appearance, Kiyomori could only clench his fists as he stood face-to-face with his white-haired rival.
"Well?"
His icy tone snapped him out of his daze, however, and the boy replied, "None of your business! I came here to see Karin, not you!"
"She's busy."
"Who's at the door, Tōsh?" a voice suddenly called out. Though faint, Kiyomori knew exactly who it belonged to and mentally cringed at the endearment.
"No one important," Hitsugaya answered, glaring coldly at the soggy boy in front of him. "He was just leaving anyway."
"Really?" Karin's voice suddenly got louder, and before he knew it she was standing right behind him. Her eyes widened as she spotted her best friend drenched from the rain. "Kiyo? What are you doing here?"
"Long story. Do you mind if I come in for a bit?"
"Yeah, sure. Make yourself at home."
Within seconds, Karin was gone and Tōshirō begrudgingly let the boy in. Tension filled the room as both boys glared at each other.
"Dry yourself off with this, Kiyo," Karin called out and threw him a towel, effectively ceasing their glares.
"Thanks," he replied and dried himself off. Though he was still a little wet, being damp was better than being soaked to the bone.
"So what's up?" she asked, taking a seat.
Kiyomori took a deep breath as he followed her and took the seat in front of Karin. There was no time to waste. Whether he was prepared for this or not, Kiyomori had to tell her the truth before the situation got out of hand. "I came here to save you before it was too late."
Confused, Karin asked, "Save me? From what…exactly?"
"From Hitsugaya," he answered in a serious tone. "He's not who you think he is."
"What are you trying to say?" she wondered.
"He isn't human, Karin. I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. I saw Hitsugaya carry you out of the classroom yesterday while another Hitsugaya was still sitting at his desk. It made no sense—"
"You saw that?"
"—at first, but when I put two and two together I… Did you just ask what I think you just asked?" He couldn't believe his ears! Did she really ask him that question? "Karin, can see them too?"
She hesitated a little before nodding.
He sighed in relief. 'At least she won't think I'm crazy.' "Then you'll stay away from him, right?"
She shook her head. "Why would I do that?"
"He's a monster, Karin. He might act nice now, but it'll only be a matter of time before he turns into a monster and devours your soul. My mother died because she was helping a ghost. I don't want that to happen to you, too."
"It's different with Tōshirō, Kiyo," she replied softly and smiled. "And whether he wants to or not, he can't kill me…unless he wants to die himself."
Kiyo sensed that there was more relating to what she had said but decided to ignore it. Right now, his main concern was the fact that his best friend refused to take this seriously.
"Do you honestly think that love will save you? This isn't a game, Karin!" he yelled. "Once he changes, there's no turning back."
She sighed. "It's hard to explain. Just trust me when I say he won't hurt me."
No matter what he said, Kiyomori knew she wouldn't change her mind. He'd known Karin long enough to know that she was too stubborn for her own good. And yet, he wouldn't give up either.
"Fine, let's say I do believe you. Do you honestly think the two of you can have a real relationship? He's dead and you're alive. Your worlds can't mix no matter how hard you will it to. Just quit while you're ahead, Karin. Love another man. Love a human. Love…me."
There, he said it. He was nervous as hell, but it had to be done. This was his only chance, after all.
"You're right, Kiyo. Tōsh and I… We are from different worlds. I'm human, he's a spirit. My lifespan is short while his can last for a millennium. We shouldn't be together, but then there are other ways for me to be with him. It might take some time but—"
"Be with him?" he repeated, upset at the proclamation. "You're going to kill yourself for him? Don't you see this foolishness, Karin? I love you! I know that you don't feel the same for me right now, but with time you can forget about him and learn to love me. I'm a patient guy. I can wait. Just don't delude yourself with these petty fantasies any longer."
"He's right, Karin." For a second, Kiyomori had forgotten that Hitsugaya was still in the room. "Though there aren't any rules that forbid this kind of relationship, maybe you would be better off with him. It beats loving a person whose lifespan is but a fraction of mine."
"You're taking his side?" she asked painfully. "After everything we've been through, you just want to give up? Fine, you don't want to be with me? Then don't bother coming back here at all!" she yelled and stormed upstairs.
To say he was shocked would be the understatement of the year. He knew that Karin loved him and he her, but for Hitsugaya to say something as cruel as that to her? Even Kiyomori had to draw the line somewhere.
'But isn't that what you wanted?'
Wanted? Of course Kiyomori wanted her, but not like this. 'Coming between them was a mistake,' he thought. 'She loves him, not me.' He sighed. 'The look in her eyes said it all.'
As cliché as it sounded, Kiyomori couldn't bear to see the woman he loved in pain. If she really loved Hitsugaya, then he should be happy for her. And so at the expense of watching his own heart shatter right before his eyes, he had to get them back together again.
But first things first, despite wanting to help them, there was one thing he had to get out of his system…
Without a second thought, Kiyomori slugged his rival without remorse. He was right, although it did nothing to help the situation, the bishōnen at least felt better than he did a moment ago.
Hitsugaya, on the other hand, didn't seem to agree. In fact, he looked more pissed then ever as Kiyomori watched the ghost placing a hand over his bruised cheek. "What the hell was that for?" he demanded angrily. "Wasn't that what you wanted?"
"You don't get it, do you? If you really loved her, you would have fought for her, would have done anything you could just to be with her. Now that it's come to this, you're just going to cut loose and run away?"
"If that's what it takes to keep her from dying, then so be it. I'm prepared to face the consequences of my actions."
'Such a martyr,' he thought spitefully. In all honesty, Kiyomori had always hated people like that. Sacrificing themselves for the greater good? Ha! What good would it do to your loved ones if you died? Did any martyr ever think about that? Of course not! They just wanted to be the hero.
'Then what the hell are you doing?'
What was he doing? Wasn't he doing the exact same thing he hated? Wasn't he being a hypocrite?
'No,' he reasoned. 'It's different.' Though he knew he would feel pain, Kiyomori wasn't willing to sacrifice his life for the one he loved. His wounds would heal, and somehow, he'd learn to move on.
"You're such an idiot!" he yelled. "What good is pride, Hitsugaya, if you lose everything because of it? She deserves better, don't you think? She chose you, after all. You'll regret it if you don't go back to her."
When Hitsugaya said nothing, the boy sighed.
"Look, I'll try to smooth things over for you, but you better make things right."
Still, Hitsugaya remained silent and Kiyomori decided to leave it at that. If the ghost was too proud to apologize to the girl he loved, then there was no way he'd thank him.
'Ungrateful bastard!' he cursed, but then shook his head. 'This is for Karin, not for him.'
And with that thought in mind, Kiyomori made his way upstairs.
Halfway there, however, he stopped when he heard Hitsugaya ask quietly, "Why? Why would you help me when you love her as well?"
Without turning around, he answered, "As much as I hate to admit this, you make her happy. I don't know how and I don't why, you just do. And even if I love her, I'd rather see her happy then miserable. So get it right the first time, Hitsugaya, 'cause there won't be a next."
And with that, the pretty boy left to talk some sense to his best friend.
