UBER SHORT CHAPTER!!

Sorry my chapters are so short. I like to keep it a little more broken up.

Ok…. Sorry for making you wait XD And I was asked if this is a running story or a collection of one shots. It IS a running story. I'm just a happy fun time beginning type of writer. Plus….I'm still brainstorming on the plot though I have a central idea. Just the blank spaces in between are the issue XD ANYWAY…. Here is the new chapter :3

Also! I want to thank you guys for all the great reviews! It is really encouraging! Especially since this is my first fic on this site! Thank you guys! You all ROCK!

Oh, and the reference to the Naruto game on the PS2 was something I've wanted to do for a while. Threw in a snippet of Ikkaku and Yumichika as well, and their whirlwind adventured XD

**************************

Karin flopped down onto her bed with a sigh. It had been a wonderful evening for her. Three whole hours at the amusement park with him. Of course, she had fun with the others, but the whole time she was there fifty percent of her thoughts were Toushiro, Toushiro, Toushiro. She had planned on not even thinking about him, forcing herself not to want him. She had no reason to want him. He was a Soul Reaper after all, and a Captain to boot. She knew letting herself fall in love with him would only bring her pain. But that all went out the window the night before when they were alone together in the living room.

Karin rolled over on her face, trying to shake herself from his spell.

No, no, NO! she told herself, Don't do this to yourself Karin! He's just going to have to leave again and what will you do then? Your heart will never heal!

She rolled over and looked out the window at the stars.

You can't have him, she scolded herself, because you're just a human.

"Because I'm just a human…" she whispered out loud.

"So when did you fall in love with the Captain?"

Karin nearly fell of the bed as she whipped around. Rukia was standing there, smirking, her knowing eyes fixed on Karin's.

"What?" asked Karin, trying to appear flabbergasted, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Is that so?" said Rukia, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow.

Karin got up and looked out the window.

"I don't know," she said, "Maybe it was when he helped me win that soccer game. Maybe it was when he saved my life. Maybe it was all little moments when the memory of him came back to my mind. Or maybe it was when I saw him standing there in Ichigo's room…"

She turned around and looked at Rukia.

"What's wrong with me?" she asked, "Why am I falling apart like this."

Rukia shook her head and sighed.

"You're so young Karin, so naive. You don't even realize how deeply in love with him you are. I can tell you are fighting it. Why?"

"Because!" said Karin, her voice rising, "I'm a human! He's not! He'll leave again and I'll be all alone! I'll still be in love with him and I might never see him after that so I should just save myself the pain and cut myself away from him now! But…"

"But you're already too in love with him to do that," finished Rukia.

Karin couldn't help it. She threw herself into Rukia's arms and hugged the girl that had been like a sister to her.

"What do I do," she whispered.

"Just go with it. Follow your heart. Thing's will work out in the end, you'll see," said Rukia, comforting her.

"Ok," said Karin.

Yuzu walked in.

"What's wrong, Karin?" she asked.

"Nothing," said Karin, gathering herself, "I'm fine."

Nothing more was said about if for the rest of the night.

****************

"I wonder where Ikkaku and Yumichika are," said Ichigo as he poured a bowl of cereal.

"I thought they were staying with Keigo," said Rukia.

"I haven't seen them," said Rangiku, who had been visiting frequently. Orihime had accompanied her as well.

"Do you think they're all right?" asked Orihime.

"They're fine," said Renji, "They're probably spending all their time at some bar."

****************

"That chick is NUTS!" shouted Ikkaku as he stormed down the sidewalk away from Keigo's house.

"But why do we have to leave?" asked Yumichika, who was reluctantly following, "At least we had a place to stay!"

"I can't spend another moment with that psychotic sister of his!" raged Ikkaku.

"But-"

"Come on!" continued Ikkaku, "We'll find a hotel!"

"Awwww!"

***************

Toushiro was halfway through a bowl of Frosted Flakes when Karin came in and sat down across from him. She rested her head on the table.

"Someone is tired," said Isshin, who was sitting next to her.

"Ugh," said Karin.

"A little worn out from last night I see," giggled Rukia.

"Man," said Karin as Yuzu slid a plate of eggs in front of her and Isshin, "Walking around like that took a lot out of me."

"Suck it up," said Rukia, sitting down on her other side.

"Yeah," said Karin, stretching.

"So what are we doing today?" asked Renji.

"Nothing, unless you're paying for it," said Ichigo with a scowl.

"Aw!" said Renji.

The group decided to stay home that day, all except for Karin, who had gone to play soccer with her friends. She was returning to the house, kicking the soccer ball around when she felt a strange pressure. She soccer ball rolled away from her as she turned around and looked back and forth.

"Who's there?" she said.

Nothing but silence.

She shrugged and returned to her house, forgetting the presence. As she walked in the door she saw quite a scene. Everyone was gathered around the TV as Toushiro and Renji sat on the couch, playing Naruto Ultimate Ninja Three. Toushiro looked irritated and his life was almost at zero as his chosen character, Neji, was being kicked in the air by Renji, who was using Kiba.

Karin stood behind Toushiro and watched the massacre.

"This is ridiculous!" shouted Toushiro, "Did that dog just pee on me!?"

Renji was laughing hysterically as Toushiro mashed buttons for all he was worth. Karin smirked and reached her arms around Toushrio's neck and grabbed the controller.

"You're loosing," she said, pressing triangle three times, entering Ultimate Jutsu mode, and taking Kiba out with Eight Trigrams Sixty Four Palms. She dropped the controller back into Toushiro's hands and stood up. He looked back at her, shocked.

"No fair!" said Renji, "I had him!"

Karin smirked at Renji and then walked up stairs.

Toushiro was a mixture of shock and disbelief. He had never been that close to a girl before, let alone this one who had constantly left him speechless. He felt a growing interest in this Karin Kurosaki, though he couldn't think of why.

"I want a rematch!" said Renji.

"No thanks," said Toushro as he stood up and walked out the front door.

I need time to think, he thought to himself.

He walked around until he found a small park. He breathed deeply as the chilled air filled his lungs. He had to admit he was quite enjoying the chance to relax. Maybe this trip would be good for him after all.

Just then he jumped up in the air, spun around and kicked the soccer ball that had been flying towards his head. He landed with grace and looked up at Karin.

"Hey," she said, smiling, her arms folded.

"Hey," he said standing up, "Any reason for the assault?"

"Just wondering why you came out here all by yourself," she said shrugging.

"I like my privacy" he said, "And I need some time to think."

"About what?" she asked as they say down on a bench.

"Nothing that concerns you," he said.

You liar, he tought to himself.

"Fine," she said, "It's none of my business."

She stood up and started to walk away when she heard his voice.

"Hey," he called.

She turned around to see him holding the soccer ball with one hand.

"You want to play a game?"

She smiled, "Sure."

In her mind, Karin thanked Rukia for the advice.