Took a lot longer to finish than the last chapter, but it's more than twice as long. XD
Thanks to every one who added this to story alert or favourite stories, and thanks to the few people who added me to their favourite authors and author alert, I really appreciate it. Well, I appreciate anyone who reads this. XD I've decided it would be easier for me to reply to reviews here, so:
Every shadow has its twin: Thank you ^^ Oh yes, I have plans for Karin alright. XD And you'll just have to wait and see about Aizen.
mets986: Sorry about that, but thank you for telling me! I've tried to change the layout a bit without violating the English language too much and I've thrown their names in a bit more so I hope it'll be easier to read and tell who's talking.
Forbidden-Hanyou: Thank you! ^^ I would've checked it out by now but my internet has been all over the place this week, however, I have bookmarked your link and I'll get round to looking at your videos soon! ^^
toshirolovr94: Thanks a lot! I hope you enjoy this chapter. ^^
Bleached-Whale: I've tried using semi-colons in this chapter, but I'm not going to lie, I've never used them before because I've never been taught how to. I hope I used them right. XD I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, especially as it was kinda hard to write. And oh yes, gotta love nicknames.
BaS23: XD Ah I see, I appreciate it! (I don't think ever told me o.O) Fair enough, everyone's entitled to their own opinion ^^
1BleachFan: Ah yes, the shower scenario is a popular one in HitsuKarin fanfics. XD Glad you like the nicknames! ^^
Chapter 3: Apartment and Paint
Karin sighed and tried to make her clothes comfortable. Obviously, she kept her human clothes, but nobody wore anything like that in Rukongai, so she ended up wearing kimonos for the majority of the time. She hadn't realised how much she'd grown. Trousers were ok, because she could just steal some of Ichigo's old trousers, it's not like he was going to wear them, but tops were an issue. All of hers were tight; well too tight for her comfort anyway, but she would have to make do. She left her bedroom in black cargo trousers and an 'annoyingly tight' vest top and fairly standard trainers (luckily her feet haven't grown insane amounts). She closed her bedroom door and turned to Tōshirō. "Hey" she said with a nod. Tōshirō nodded back. "Are you finally ready?"
"Ugh, I guess"
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing, I just really hate my clothes right now." Tōshirō had a confused expression on his face.
"And why exactly, Rin?"
"They don't fit!" Tōshirō looked at her outfit.
"Are you talking about your top? Because I've seen worse."
"Well duh, look at who your vice-captain is."
"Well yes, but no one will care, it's summer."
"I care!" Tōshirō rolled his eyes.
"Trust me Rin, you're dressed better than most girls your age in summer." Karin thought for a moment.
"That's...disturbingly true."
"See? Now shut up and let's go."
"Jeez, you're awfully pushy today. Is it because of the heat?"
"Well...yes. I don't like the idea of walking around all day in the sun."
"Nor do I to be honest. But like you said Tōsh, it's gotta be done." Tōshirō sighed and agreed. The two set off towards the Senkaimon.
XxXxXxXxXxX
There was no hiding it. Both Karin and Tōshirō were reluctant to go round looking at houses. Both of them were scared about moving house. Karin had never really needed to be independent at home. Yuzu was the one who did all the cooking, the cleaning and the washing, and if she was really struggling with something she could always go to her brother or even her dad. (Believe or not, he was serious when the situation called for it.) Obviously she wasn't going to be totally alone or anything and she and Tōshirō had already agreed that they were going to split up and share the responsibilities of owning and living a house, but that didn't mean she magically knew how to do everything. While Tōshirō knew how to do everything (he's been living on his own since he became a captain) the thought of living with someone else made him nervous. It's a lot different to when he was a kid in Rukongai. Back then everyone looked after HIM because he was the youngest, and now even though Karin would never admit it, he was the one protecting and looking after someone else. Besides, back then he was living with his grandmother and might-as-well-be sister, this time it'll be with his best friend. The concept was, well, entirely new to him. He was always a 'cold' person, so people had a tendency to avoid him. Tōshirō didn't think he was her best friend, but she certainly was his.
When the two arrived at Uruhara's Karin started talking to Jinta and Ururu while Tōshirō was getting his gigai and human clothes sorted out. Tōshirō entered the room where the three were talking wearing loosely (but not baggy) fit grey jeans and a black t-shirt. "Hey Rin. Ready to go?" Karin looked up and nodded.
"See you guys later!" Karin waved at Jinta and Ururu while Tōshirō nodded towards them. When the duo left the room Jinta turned to Ururu.
"Did he call her Rin?" Ururu simply nodded.
XxXxXxXxXxX
The first couple of places Tōshirō and Karin visited did not work for them. Either it was too small or a bad area or something else. The nerves about moving in together combined with the heat were making the pair somewhat irritable. "UGH. We're NEVER going to find a place we like. Or is suitable. Or whatever. Why is this such a pain!"
"Rin, we've gone to 3 places. That's it. There's still another 300 something possibilities." Karin sighed.
"Look can we just take a break. This isn't easy for me."
"Sure." He led her to a nearby bench. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but why isn't this easy for you? I mean I understand leaving you're family is hard, but you're going back to where you grew up. You know this area. You know where everything is." Karin sighed and nodded.
"While all of that's true, it's still hard. To be honest Tōsh..." Karin trailed off and started staring at the floor. (Because as you all know, blades of grass are very entertaining in July.) Tōshirō nudged her slightly. "It scares me Tōsh. I know I'm supposed to be a Kurosaki, and I'm supposed to be the stronger twin and stuff, but this really scares me. I've never had to be completed independent before." Tōshirō poked her arm.
"You don't have to be. I don't mind if you depend on me a little you know." Karin smiled and leant against Tōshirō. The action almost made him jump, he wasn't used to this sort of contact. 'I suppose this is her way of saying thank you without actually saying it?' 'Who knows?' Karin grabbed Tōshirō's attention away from his Zanpaktō by speaking.
"You know what? Fine. I'll let myself depend on you a little, if you let yourself depend on me a little, deal?" Tōshirō looked at Karin.
"Depend on you?" Karin rolled her eyes slightly.
"Oh come on. For a start, I think you need someone to moan and actually talk to because that makes problems easier, secondly, you need someone to teach you how to have fun before you do actually die of overworking and finally, I can tell that you're nervous about going to a place that you don't really know. You don't know where anything is or how things really work around here. So come on, let me help you." Tōshirō had a slightly bewildered look on his face.
"How did you even..."
"What? Know all that? It's as plain as day to me." Tōshirō leaned back onto the bench and sighed.
"Well, what do you know? A fourteen year old girl who's known me for four years can understand me better then my vice-captain." Karin smiled as she answered.
"What can I say? I have women's intuition." Tōshirō raised his eyebrow at her.
"Are you saying that my vice-captain doesn't have women's intuition or-"
"Of course not. It just happens that mine isn't clouded with sake." Tōshirō couldn't help but smile. Karin stood up and stretched. "Shall we get going again?" Tōshirō got up, agreed and waited for Karin to finish stretching before they set off to the next place they wanted to look at.
XxXxXxXxXxX
The soon-to-be roomates were checking out the 7th place. In all honesty, Tōshirō was starting to get pretty bored. As long as it wasn't too small, and Karin knew the area, who cared? Karin however hadn't quite reached that mindset yet so she was still looking around with interest. Tōshirō decided to start paying attention when Karin seemed pretty happy. Chances were this had a high probability of becoming his new home. The more he looked the more he liked. (Or rather the more sense it made to choose this one.) It was an apartment with a fairly simple layout. Decent sized kitchen and living area, two bedroom that were roughly the same size so they wouldn't end up arguing about who gets which one and there was a fairly big supermarket near, it wasn't small, but it wasn't overly huge. Tōshirō knew that Karin would hate having a big place with only two people in it, she's end up feeling lonely. When the estate agent left the two to talk Karin immediately turned to Tōshirō grinning. "I think this is the one!" Tōshirō ended up smiling after seeing Karin so happy. He swore that girl was contagious. "Do you like it?" Tōshirō nodded.
"It seems...right, for us. Although we're going to have to re-decorate it." Karin scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Well obviously." According to the estate agent the previous owners were two girls attending university, and well, it was obvious. Both of the bedrooms were pink, there was evidence of parties taking places (Tōshirō knew that oh so well) the carpet for the living room was a lilac colour, and quite frankly the entire current decorating job didn't appeal to either of them.
After a long conversation with the estate agent they had managed to get everything sorted and the apartment would be officially theirs by the next day. Tōshirō and Karin had started walking back to Uruhara's when Karin stopped them. "Wait, Tōsh. Wouldn't it make sense if we stayed here a couple days? We could decorate the bedrooms so we could move in pretty much straight away after we've got all the essentials. We can easily decorate rooms other than our bedrooms after we move in." Tōshirō thought for a moment.
"Considering our deadline that would make sense. Why didn't that occur to me?" Karin shrugged.
"I dunno. Maybe the sun frazzled your brain. You don't get out much afterall, do you?"
"Oh shut up." He quickly found his phone and contacted Yamamoto about their new plans they wanted to carry out while Karin was left leaning on a lamppost getting bored. After an annoyingly pleading conversation (which amused Karin greatly) they finally got the go ahead. Tōshirō put his phone back in his trouser pocket. "He agreed, but we've got to sort out our accommodation while we're here." Karin shrugged.
"Easy. We'll just stay at Uruhara's." Tōshirō shook his head.
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not? He owes me anyway."
"Yeah but Rin, I don't. And we don't have time to wait for me to complete doing chores." Karin slowly nodded while thinking.
"I'm sure Orihime would let us stay at her place." Tōshirō raised his eyebrow.
"You know Inoue?" Karin rolled her eyes.
"Are you kidding Tōsh? I know her better than you." Tōshirō shrugged and continued the conversation.
"Fine I guess. But I'm not really a fan of her cooking." Karin waved her hand in a dismissive way.
"Oh neither do I Tōsh. We can just eat before we go. That way we only have to endure breakfast...Actually we could probably escape that too, if we say that we want to get an early start. Look, I'll call her now so we can give her warning and that way if dinner ends up taking a while we don't just show up at her apartment in the night." Tōshirō thought for a moment.
"That probably is our best option." Karin nodded and made the call. Orihime was only too happy to oblige.
XxXxXxXxXxX
After they had a reasonably cheap meal at a restaurant the two teenagers found themselves in Orhime's living room. Tōshirō and Karin were sitting cross-legged around a small coffee table while Orihime herself was making tea for the three of them; both Tōshirō and Karin felt kinda bad for just barging into her home. (Or at least that's what it felt like to the pair.) However Orihime seemed really happy to see them, which was proved by the hug she gave both of them the minute she saw them. After Orihime came back into the living room with tea the three of them ended up having a lengthy conversation about what's been going on and why Tōshirō and Karin were in the human world. While Orihime stated she was worried about Aizen, she was glad to see the pair of them doing well. When the conversation was heading to it's end it was decided that Tōshirō and Karin would sleep on futons on the floor due to there being only one spare bed so it only seemed fair. Orihime lent the pair of them some clothes to sleep in and allowed them to sort themselves out. Tōshirō couldn't help but wonder why Orihime had men's clothing at her apartment but chose not to question it. He quickly changed so Karin wouldn't have to wait too long for the bathroom. He finished changing and nodded to Karin on his way out. He started to set up the futons while Karin showered.
About 20 minutes later Karin showed up in the living room with pale blue shorts, a simple spaghetti top and a towel round her neck. She was greeted with the sight of Tōshirō staring at her. "What?" Karin asked, a little creeped out. Tōshirō's eyes narrowed.
"Why are you so thin?" Karin became a little awkward and tried to avoid looking at him.
"What are you talking about?" Tōshirō stood up and walked over to her.
"Rin, you've seemed to have lost a lot of weight suddenly. Have you not been eating?" Karin finally met his eyes.
"Of course I've been eating! I ate with you earlier remember?" She forced herself to look at him.
"Karin for god's sake I can see your damned ribs!" Karin had to look away. To be honest, she currently hated how she looked.
"It's because of him." Tōshirō narrowed his eyes again but this time in confusion. When Karin saw this she clarified it for him. "Aizen I mean. Look...he decided to take over me whenever he pleased, and that just happened to coincide with meal times sometimes...and" Tōshirō's eyes pleaded for her to go on. She took a deep breath. "Tōsh you have no idea what it feels like. To be controlled. Constantly. To know that someone can just do whatever they want with you whenever they want. Quite often after he'd finish doing god knows what with me I just couldn't eat. I don't know if it was depression or something, I just couldn't eat." Karin could feel tears threatening to fall. "Sometimes...I just...felt so used or frustrated or useless that I just couldn't bring myself to eat..." Karin stared at the floor while trying to will herself not to cry. She gasped out of shock when Tōshirō hugged her.
"Rin...why didn't you tell me?" Karin let herself relax and sunk into his arms.
"I dunno. I guess...I just felt weak." The two just stayed silent for a moment, Tōshirō just trying to comfort her.
"Rin, sometimes it's ok to cry." Karin looked up the second he said that.
"How did you..."
"It's as plain as day to me" Karin smiled, but when Tōshirō hugged her slightly tighter she couldn't help it. She let herself cry.
XxXxXxXxXxX
When the pair woke up the following morning Orihime had already left the apartment, leaving a note on the fridge basically saying that she didn't want to wake them up but she had to go, and they could help themselves to any food. So while Karin was sorting out breakfast (hey, it was simple enough) Tōshirō was showering. When he finished in the bathroom he came to the breakfast table fully dressed. He took a quick look at Karin. "Still in pyjamas I see." Karin stuck her tongue out at him.
"Oi! I'll get dressed when I want!" Tōshirō smiled. He was glad that Karin seemed to be happier. Maybe she was right, maybe problems did get easier once you talk about them. "You look different with your hair down." Karin rolled her eyes.
"Well duh. That's like saying night looks different to day. Of course I look different. Why?" Tōshirō looked up from his breakfast.
"Hmm? Oh, it's just that I don't think I've ever seen you with your hair down before." Karin seemed surprised.
"Really?" Tōshirō nodded. Karin just shrugged.
Karin finished her breakfast quickly and went to get dressed; and Tōshirō started to put the futons away when he had finished eating. When the two had cleaned up Orihime's apartment from their mess they set off to visit the local shops, the first stop being a local hardware shop to get paint for their bedrooms. Tōshirō simply could not fathom how they spent an entire hour in the shop. However, despite the non-existent sense it made, it happened. Tōshirō already felt tired; He was not one for shopping. He thought Karin didn't like shopping either but he quickly discovered that her hatred for shopping only applied to clothes, shoes and that sort of thing. When they had gotten all the equipment they needed to paint the rooms they left the shop and made their way down to their apartment. They got a set of keys each from the landlord and started to get to work.
Never, ever underestimate how messy you can get from decorating rooms. It wasn't that the two weren't being careful with the paint, it just happened to get everywhere. Both Tōshirō and Karin had managed to acquire multicolour hair, and the state of their clothes? Well, the only time they'd be able to wear them again would be for re-decorating. They had managed to get a coat of paint on Karin's room and two coats of paint of Tōshirō's. Karin sighed. "I guess we'll just have to continue working on mine tomorrow. Shame we couldn't finish it today. Although I suppose that's what I get for choosing two colours." Tōshirō got up from painting the skirting board in his room and stretched.
"Why did you pick two colours anyway? Just wanted to do something different?"
"Pretty much. I wanted something a little more sophisticated and not so...standard. Get what I mean?" Tōshirō looked at her for a moment.
"I think so..." Karin giggled and rolled her eyes.
"Men are hopeless." Tōshirō poked her in her side. She squealed and quickly covered her mouth when she realised what she had done. Tōshirō tried not to smile too much. "Are you ticklish by any chance?" Karin glared at him but Tōshirō couldn't take it seriously. In the end his smile broke Karin down.
"So maybe I am. What's your point?" Tōshirō shrugged.
"I've never thought of you as the ticklish type before." Karin glared at him and poked him in his side.
"Oh Tōsh that's not fair! Muscles aren't ticklish."
"Obviously."
"But it means I can't get you back!" Tōshirō smirked. "Wait, Tōsh. You have abs?" Tōshirō simply looked at her. He didn't know what to say.
"...Were you not expecting that...or what? What do you want me to say here?" Karin shook her head dismissively.
"Nothing. I just didn't really expect it. I know you've been training, but it's strange to think of a child having abs..." Tōshirō's eyebrow twitched.
"I am not a child Kurosaki." Karin rolled her eyes.
"Yes you are Tōsh. So am I. Big deal. You'll grown pretty soon anyway."
"Why do you say that?"
"Experience from being a nurse. I'd bet that the only reason you haven't hit puberty yet is because you're overworked." Karin smirked when she caught Tōshirō's attention. "Think about it Tōsh. If you're body is too busy focusing on keeping you awake during the day and trying to stop you from collapsing it won't have enough energy to allow you to grow substantial amounts."
"That actually makes sense."
"Of course it does! I know what I'm talking about. That's why you need to depend on me. The less tense and worked up you are, the better."
"I see. But Rin, you were a nurse? Do they even let people your age be nurses." Karin glared at him.
"I dunno Tōsh, do they let people your age be captains?" Tōshirō dead-panned.
"Touché, Rin. Touché." Karin smirked.
"Yeah yeah, we should really get back to Orihime's house. You know, before the paint fumes start screwing with our heads?" Tōshirō agreed.
XxXxXxXxXxX
Tōshirō and Karin were back at Orihime's, in the living room. They ended up talking about their apartment and things in general until about one o'clock in the morning when Tōshirō finally said that they should get some sleep. Unfortunately, it was half an hour later, and neither of them were asleep; and yet, both thought the other was. Karin was lying on her side, her back facing Tōshirō, wide awake. She wasn't even thinking about anything in particular, she just couldn't sleep. She blamed the heat. Tōshirō couldn't sleep either, but for an entirely different reason. He couldn't stop staring at her ribs. He hated himself for not noticing sooner. And it hurt, seeing her cry like that. Tōshirō never wanted to see her in that state again. He knew Karin hated being protected and 'useless' as she put it, but protecting her was the one thing he really wanted to do. 'So...this is what it's like? Having a best friend? Constantly wanting to look after them and making sure they stay safe? It's almost depressing how new I am at this.'
XxXxXxXxXxX
Tōshirō woke up to see Karin half lying on him. He was shocked, to say the least. He'll never know how Karin had managed to rotate herself 90 degrees in her sleep. He could only assume that the summer heat made her fidget in her sleep. He tried to move but Karin just snuggled into his chest more. When Tōshirō spotted Orihime watching them with an amused expression he couldn't help but glare. Which then ended up turning into a pleading look asking her to help him. Orihime just shrugged, whispered "You shouldn't glare at me" and then left the room grinning. Tōshirō sighed and just lay back down. What could he do? He didn't want to disturb Karin, because she needed the sleep. He came to the conclusion that he should wait until she wakes up and then pretend to be asleep when she did so it looked like she woke up first. Ok, it was childish, but what else was he supposed to do?
When Karin did finally wake up she realised that she was lying on Tōshirō almost immediately. She also noticed that Tōshirō was not asleep. She smirked and turned round so she was lying on her stomach with her chin resting on his chest. "Tōsh, I know you're awake." Tōshirō facepalmed.
"Ok. HOW?" Tōshirō could feel Karin giggling.
"You're breathing gets heavier when you sleep so it's pretty obvious. You should've just woken me up."
"I didn't want to. You looked like you needed it." Karin rolled her eyes and poked his nose lightly.
"You're a pain." Suddenly Orihime's voice interrupted them.
"Do you have any idea how much you two look like a newly married couple? I mean seriously." The 'newly married couple' glared at her. Orihime just giggled. "I'm making breakfast, what do you guys want?" Tōshirō and Karin looked at each other for a moment. Karin was the first one with an answer.
"Just toast will do to be honest Orihime." Orihime smiled and nodded.
"Same for you Hitsugaya-kun or..."
"Toast is fine for me too, thanks." Orihime smiled and left the room. Tōshirō lifted his head to look at Karin.
"How did I not think of toast of all things?"
"I told you, your brains are frazzled from the sun. Either that or you're too tired for your brain to function properly. Neither would surprise me. I wouldn't keep your head up like that if I were you. You'll screw up your neck."
"Fine, get off me so I can sit up."
"But you're comfy."
"Rin, I don't care." Karin huffed, got off him and sat up.
"Tōsh?" Tōshirō looked at her, telling her to continue. "You don't work too well in the mornings do you?" Tōshirō cocked his head ever so slightly to the side.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because I would've thought that you'd freak out if I was lying all over you. Either that or you've grown really comfortable around me." Tōshirō didn't dare to comment. Luckily Orihime entered the room telling the pair that breakfast was ready.
What do you guys think? To be honest I wasn't going to stick the whole 'Karin is skinny' stuff originally, but I figured that just fluff, fluff anf fluff would get boring, especially when the start kinda promised more action (which will happen). Plus, if I didn't include it, it would've turned into another awkward chapter XD I know Orihime is a little OOC, but I would hope that by the age of 19 she'd grow up a little bit. Plus she's used to depending on Ichigo (well she's kinda had to) so I reckon a year or so away from him would let to her learning to fend for herself. (Hey last time she was away from him for a long time she slapped Ulquiorra XD) So yeah, I hope this chapter was ok and that you guys enjoyed it. ^^