It was winter in Karakura Town. Snow and ice were all around Karin Kurosaki as she walked home from school. With her was a good friend from her class, Ayume Obushi.

As they walked silently along the street, Karin's thoughts suddenly turned to the taicho she knew so well – the taicho who personified ice and snow and cold weather.

It has been so long since I've seen him. I wish he could come more often.

Her crush hadn't diminished in the least, though for her own sanity, she really didn't think about him quite as much as she did right after he had left the last time.

I wonder what he is doing right now.

"Hey Karin. Ayume," came a voice from behind them.

Karin turned around. It was a boy from her grade, though not from her class. His name was Asahi Satsuma.

"Oh hi, Asahi," Karin replied. They stopped so he could catch up.

"Ayume, I was, uh, wondering if I could, uh, talk to you alone for a second?" asked Asahi.

"Sure," said Ayume and she and Asahi walked about 15 steps back the way they came while Karin sat there and waited. She watched the two of them talk for a bit, then Asahi turned and ran back in the other direction. Ayume rejoined Karin.

"What was that about?" asked Karin.

"He just asked me to go on a date," answered Ayume.

"A date? You've got to be kidding," said Karin.

"Just because you aren't ready to date, Karin, doesn't mean the rest of us aren't," said Ayume, a bit defensively.

"Who says I'm not ready to date?" asked Karin.

"Well, just look at you?" said Ayume.

"What about me?" asked Karin.

"You would probably rather roll around in the mud with a boy rather than date one," said Ayume.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Karin.

Ayume sighed. "Nevermind."

Karin knew she was a tomboy. She usually didn't mind that she was – she played mostly with boys, was super-athletic, and even preferred to dress in sweats and shorts rather than in dresses and skirts. But now, as scenes like this happened around her, Karin started to become a little less confident in whom she thought she wanted to be. She really didn't know if the boys would ever see past the friend that she was and see her as a girl.

As they walked, Karin's mind still wandered. I wonder how Toshiro sees me. Does he like me like this? Or…should I try something different the next time he is in town? Karin didn't even know if anything would ever happen between her and the taicho just because of the sea of differences between them – human vs. Shinigami, age differences, and the fact that they didn't even live in the same…uh, realm? If she remained the tomboy she was, perhaps he wouldn't even be interested even if it were possible.

She shook her head to break her concentrated thought as Ayume said good-bye and walked in another direction towards her house.

Karin entered the Kurosaki house and flopped her schoolbag down on the couch. She went to the refrigerator and got an apple out to snack on. She sat down in front of the TV.

A few minutes later, Yuzu walked in.

"Hey," said Karin, greeting her sister.

"Oh, hi Karin," said Yuzu.

"So why did you need to stay after school?" Karin asked. Usually Yuzu and Karin would walk home from school together with a few of their friends. Today was the exception.

"You are never going to believe it," said an excited Yuzu.

"Hm?" Karin answered.

"Haru-chan asked me to a movie!" Yuzu added.

"Haruki Nagoya? From your class?" inquired Karin.

"Yes, that's him!" answered Yuzu, obviously still on a high from her encounter.

Karin sighed. "That's great, Yuzu," she told her sister a bit half-heartedly. Though Yuzu didn't catch the tone – she was much too happy.

Yuzu started raiding the kitchen herself for something to eat.

"Just a word of caution though," said Karin. "Don't tell Ichi-nii right away."

Yuzu looked up at her sister. "I know, Karin. I've seen the way he is with Toshiro-san and you two aren't even dating. He'd go completely nuts."

Karin shut off the TV and walked up to her and Yuzu's bedroom. She laid down on her bed and just stared at the ceiling, brooding and thinking.

Two in one day? What are the chances?

I wish it were me.

But even if a boy from school liked you, would you really care?

I don't know. I'd probably appreciate the fact that he noticed me. I truly only like one boy.

Toshiro.

Even if he thought you were the most beautiful, perfect girl on the planet, you can't get past the fact that he is what he is. A Shinigami.

Karin sighed again.

What do I really want? Why am I jealous?

I want Toshiro to notice me for that reason and for him to be around everyday.

Well, that's not going to happen.

I know. It doesn't mean that I can't want that.

You still really like Toshiro though.

Yes, I know.

So don't worry about what is going on with your friends and your sister.

OK, I can deal with that. But do I need to change to have him notice me when he does come around?

Perhaps. It's worth a try.

Karin left her room after her self-introspection with a new-found mindset. She headed for the kitchen and dialed the phone.

"Ayume? What are you doing this Saturday?"

OlOlOlOlOlO

Yuzu, Ichigo and Isshin were sitting at the dinner table staring at each other.

"Where is Karin?" asked Ichigo.

"She went out with her friend Ayume," answered Yuzu.

"This entire time?" asked Ichigo. "She left at nine this morning."

Yuzu shrugged. She had no idea what Karin was doing with Ayume or why she wasn't back for dinner on-time.

The door clicked and three heads turned towards it. Then three jaws dropped open.

"Hi," said Karin as she saw her family at the table. "Sorry I'm late. What's for dinner?"

"Karin?" Ichigo said.

Karin just stood there smiling. She knew that what they were seeing must be really different for them – and it would take a while for them to adjust.

"My little girl is growing up so fast!" Isshin shouted and ran over to hug his daughter, tears in his eyes.

"So what do you think, Yuzu?" Karin asked.

"You look amazing," answered Yuzu. "Though…"

"It's not you, Karin," Ichigo finished Yuzu's thought.

Karin was a little taken aback at the negative feedback she was hearing. Sure, Ichigo could be expected to not like the more mature look Karin was currently sporting, but Yuzu? She thought for sure Yuzu would like it. She and Ayume had visited a number of stores earlier where she bought make-up and new clothes. They even walked in to a nearby salon and got their hair styled together.

Karin currently sported one of her new outfits – her midriff was practically showing (and would show if she lifted her arms above her head). The skirt she had on was mini to say the least – she would have to be very careful how she moved so that her panties weren't flashed for all to see. Finally, instead of her usual sneakers, she actually had small heels on.

Karin's eyes teared up at the reaction and she ran with her new clothes up to her bedroom and flopped down on the bed.

A few minutes later, she heard a light tapping on the door. "Karin?" It was Yuzu.

Karin didn't answer. Yuzu went in anyway.

"I'm sorry, Karin," said Yuzu.

"Why?" said Karin. "What's wrong with the way I look now?"

"Nothing," Yuzu answered. "I'm just a little startled. You've always been so happy being who you were. I just didn't expect that you'd make such a sudden change."

"I just want to be noticed," Karin said to Yuzu. "I'm a girl and no one ever looks at me like a girl. I'm always just 'one of the guys.'"

Yuzu smiled and rubbed her back. "Sometimes I wish I were just 'one of the guys'," she admitted.

"At least they see you as a girl though, Yuzu," said Karin. "Haruki asked you on a date. Who wants to date a tomboy?"

"I think you'd be surprised," answered Yuzu.

"I'm just ready for this change," said Karin.

"Ok, ok," said Yuzu. "You are beautiful either way. If this is what you want, then I support you. I'll even help you with Ichigo. You know he doesn't like this."

"I don't care," said Karin. "It's my life."

"Yes, it is," supported Yuzu. She got up off of Karin's bed and headed for the door.

"Are you coming back down?" Yuzu asked.

"In a bit," said Karin.

Yuzu rejoined Ichigo and Isshin, who were obviously already talking about what had just happened. Isshin saw no problem at all whereas Ichigo didn't like the new look at all. When they saw Yuzu, they just stared at her.

"Well?" asked Ichigo.

"She's fine now," said Yuzu. "Just – back off for now, ok?"

"Why on earth - ?" started Ichigo.

"I think this is how Karin is bridging the gap between being a kid and a young woman," said Yuzu. "Her friends are starting to date and look a lot more mature and she doesn't want to be left behind."

"Does she know how much work it's going to take to keep all that up?" asked Ichigo with a snicker. Ichigo had always been prone to liking the more natural, less maintenance type girls himself.

"If she stays looking like this or goes back to her old style is her business," said Yuzu. "But you are right, Ichigo. I don't think it will last either. It's just not like her to want to concentrate on clothes, hair and make-up. Just please, support her for now."

"Well, ok," said Ichigo. "I'll go along with it….for now."

Karin reappeared in the kitchen, her make-up smudged a bit now. But no one said a word. They just ate their dinner.