AN: I LIVE! But only for a few more weeks because I'm gonna die in the next three. I have so many exams coming up and this was my first free week this month. OMG No on told me med school was hard. T^T
BUT! I wrote an extra long chapter just for you guys. Not really the one-shot kinda feel as the rest of them but I have a feeling that the light plot is gonna be popping up on occasion. So... feel free to enjoy it at your leisure. Eventually I'll get back to my other stories. Hopefully. You guys should pray or something though. Just sayin'.
Thank you's for the last chapter:
Guest: Karin as a maid was so fun, it was almost painful! Haha. But I think she'd be good at it, even though she'd fight it. And making Toushirou jealous? Only one of my favorite things to do. I hope you'll enjoy a little more in this chapter. ;)
Liliv00: Oh man, he's gonna be fun to play with. I always like writing really suave characters because, well, there's not that many in Bleach. Or if there are, I've already paired them with someone else. LOL Enjoy!
Hakku: It does feel like a multi-chapter fic! T.T I tried so hard and got so far... But in the end, it doesn't even matter... XD
nureen: Thank you, bb! It was so fun. I'm seriously in love with the whole 'maid cosplay' concept. I don't know why but it makes me want to write more. Maybe one day. :)
HitsuKarin Lover Forverrr: Thank you! I hope this one is just as good as the last~
Warning: My prompt was school festival. Not as prominent in my other chapters but it does play a central part. Also, my OC makes his official debut. He's still a minor character though so he's only gonna pop up when I wanna make Toushirou jealous. Which will be often but I'll probably add a few other characters in there. I feel like inserting multiple could-be suitors would be fun. After all, have you guys seen Karin? My baby is so pretty and she's grown up and I'm so proud it hurts. :DDDD
Cliché Seven: Festival Blues (Titania of Fairy Tail, Shahar Mystral)
The day back from summer break was expected but not anticipated. Students dragged their heels as they came back from the month-long vacation, sighing deeply as the second part of the year commenced. From her seat, Karin lazily inspected chattering faces and gloomy mugs as she righted her desk, waiting for homeroom to begin.
When Toushirou entered, she didn't dare lift her gaze. Not that there was anything particularly interesting outside but it was more preferable that facing him. Contrary to what one might think, Karin had never outgrown that stubborn streak she had as a child. Instead the only difference was that she'd gotten better at hiding it; it also helped that she'd become apt at manipulating others to feed her little secret.
So when he called her name, his gaze falling directly on her, Karin had done little more than raise her hand before going back to her thoughts. He wasn't going to make her feel guilty about their last quarrel and she wasn't going to apologize. For once, it'd be Hitsugaya Toushirou coming to her. A slither of anticipation raced up her spine, as she smirked into empty air.
However, the sliding of the door called her back to reality.
Her eyes darted to a male form in the doorway, large but not quite imposing. As the boy shuffled in, it only took a glance for Karin to nearly choke on her spit. It was as if the devil's incarnate had skipped in merrily with all her secrets in hand, ready to present them. She didn't need to look at Toushirou to see his reaction. The telling spike of reiatsu was observation enough.
"Good morning, Sensei, classmates." His low, husky voice melted its fair share of female hearts, as boys' went from unimpressed to guarded in seconds. But this boy was made for attention, his dark eyes sweeping over the room. She watched them settle on her while a pleased smile tugged at his lips.
"Your name, please." Outwardly, Hitsugaya held up that impassive façade, eyes skimming over his list of students. Even she had to admit that his self-control was admirable.
"Kichida Naoya. I just transferred in last week."
"It would explain why you're not on my roll," he nodded before looking out over the class. "Take a seat wherever you like, Kichida."
It was with some chagrin that Karin noted that the seat beside her was open and Naoya made no qualms about taking it. Sliding in beside her, he ignored the obtrusive stares and beamed at her. Unfortunately she couldn't sum up nearly as much enthusiasm.
"Kurosaki, I'll leave you in charge of our new student. Be sure he knows his way around and all of the rules." He packed up his things to signal that homeroom was over.
She couldn't quite catch her jaw, her glare accusing as she followed Toushirou's form out the door. All of that ruckus just a few weeks ago and now nothing? He hadn't even acknowledged her since then. But now he wanted to leave her at the mercy of a man who knew more than he needed to, she mused darkly, as a number of their classmates surrounded the newest addition.
"Kichida-san, where are you from? It's so unusual for people to transfer in so late."
"What're your hobbies and how old are you, Kichida-kun?"
"Is it alright if we call you 'Naoya-kun'? It sounds much cuter than your family name."
"Okay, everyone, that's enough," Karin said, standing up. The mild annoyance she got was nothing compared to her own growing contempt. But as she looked into softly amused eyes, she was sad to say that very little of it was directly Kichida's fault. "You can bombard him with questions after I've briefed him on a few things. I'm pretty sure that can all wait until lunch."
"You're just trying to monopolize Kichida-kun's time so you can have him all to yourself." A hum of discourse rang through the group of girls. Spite wasn't anything new so it didn't sting, as she rolled her eyes. Her rebuttal, however, never made it from her lips.
"Actually, Karin-chan and I are well acquainted. Isn't that right?" Naoya declared, ignoring the gasps he'd elicited. Few people got away with calling Karin by her first name, mostly because she was so damned protective of her privacy.
"Oi, don't call me 'Karin-chan'! Just because we know each other a little doesn't mean I've given you permission!" she growled as he stalked over, steps as light as a predator's.
Watching him approach, she knew this wasn't the first time she thought he might be more than some empty-headed playboy. There was a laziness about him that belied something stronger, something dangerous, and frankly it scared her a little. Which was strange considering the types of people in her life, the type of person she was.
But that only made her defenses go up as he threw a friendly arm around her. Squirming, Karin stopped when he leaned down to mumble into her ear. "I wouldn't do anything I'd regret later if I were you, Karin-chan. I'm sure that you have a few things you'd like to keep private, no?"
Stiffening, she let herself be led out as Naoya made some excuse. But she didn't make it easy on him, purposely dragging her feet and tripping over his own in hopes of breaking free. He was built of stuff stronger than that though, and she learned it the hard way when he nearly hauled her into the corridor. He was forced to let her go when she almost fell forward, closing the door behind him to keep out prying eyes.
"If you say anything about my job this past summer, I will kill you." Trust a Kurosaki to break out the threats before the heat had even cooled.
"I have no plans to divulge that kind of information, Karin-chan." He chuckled. "Well, not without good reason, at least."
"I need your word that you won't say a thing about it, Kichida. Swear to me that you won't." Invading his personal space, the fist bunching his collar would've scared a lesser man. However, his calm didn't fade. In fact he seemed delighted with her anger, using a single hand to release his shirt and coax her limb back to her side.
"I don't make promises I can't keep." He smiled mischievously, refusing to release her. He leaned in so close their noses nearly touched. "But for now I'll keep my silence. After all, I'm the jealous type myself. I'd hate to have to share you with the other boys in our class, especially that teacher who's so fond of you."
The words got trapped in her throat, as she fished for some scathing reply. But a minute past and they both knew she couldn't find anything that didn't sound like anything more than a half-hearted bluff. In the end, Karin could do nothing but let him lead her down the hall, a pleasant façade put into place as he asked about the different buildings. Deep down, Karin couldn't quite shake the feeling that her life had become all sorts of complicated.
With the autumn festival drawing near, the idea for their class project had been decided and the preparations were already underway. Much to Karin's dismay, the class had decided on a cosplay café as their tonic of choice, with girls talking about dressing as kittens and maids while boys looked forward to being samurai and knights. When asked if she'd wear a costume, Karin had relegated herself to manager and assistant chef. There was no way in hell she was going to relive her part-time job. Not out of any malice (she'd liked it there, even if she'd never admit it out loud) but it just wasn't her style, and everyone in school knew it.
"I doubt you'd bring in any customers anyway. Who'd want to see a boy in a skirt?" Kou chuckled meanly, the back of her hand hovering over her mouth. Only one of the many fangirls Naoya had managed to ensnare, and easily the most jealous.
Straightening, Karin moved forward with a scowl. "Why don't you say that to mmphg—!"
"Now, now, ladies, this isn't the time for fighting." Appearing seemingly out of nowhere, Kichida smiled sweetly as he clamped a hand over Karin's mouth. "What you two should really be doing is finishing that menu and fixing up the signs we're gonna need."
"Of course, Naoya-kun. I was almost done with the final set and was just about to go over the grocery list," Kou replied, voice so sweet it grated on Karin's eardrums. The smug look she shot in Karin's direction only made her struggle harder. "I was just saying how wonderful it is that Kurosaki, who isn't interested in all the girly aesthetics, is doing so much of the labor. I mean, she's carrying all of the boxes and directing everyone. She's a one-woman show."
"You've been helping the guys with the lifting?" Ignoring everything else, Kichida released her with a light glower. "I thought I told you to stay away from that kind of stuff. You might hurt yourself."
"You're not the boss of me," Karin snorted. She righted her hair before turning back to a silently seething Kou. "Go finish up the kitchen work. Once you're done, I'll get the list approved and ask around about ingredients this weekend."
"Well that's good. This weekend I planned on finalizing my costume and I'd hate to have my time taken away from it." She paused to make doe eyes at Naoya. "I plan on being a fairy. I'm still deciding on the final touches but I think it'll turn out very nice."
"I'm sure it will, Sanada. I think you'll definitely be able to pull it off." Her triumphant smile was cut-off, however, when Kichida threw an arm around Karin. "Next time you should dress up too. You look adorable in a skirt."
"Shut up and get out of here, you lazy pervert!" she screamed, ignoring her reddening cheeks as she shoved him in the direction of the door. Stumbling, he managed to catch himself with unnerving grace. He looked back to see Karin giving the others instructions, refocusing their attention away from her. Her shyness only made his satisfaction a little sweeter.
Deciding it was best to not make her angrier, Kichida made his way down the hallway with purpose, ignoring the hustle and bustle of the other classrooms. There was no doubt in his mind that something was waiting for him at the end of it. He kept that in mind when he stepped into the shadowed stairway, a familiar figure leaning against the wall.
"Good morning, Hitsugaya-sensei."
Sharp eyes looked down at him from the stairwell, the rest of him unmoving. Although it was hard to tell, an inner struggle pooled beneath that carefully constructed face. The old man was probably weighing all the options, putting them into perfect rows and columns before finally choosing a response, Naoya mused. A man without emotions was a dangerous one when those feelings were let loose.
His reply was exactly what he was expecting. "I've told you before, Kichida, to stay away from Kurosaki. She doesn't know what you are and frankly she doesn't need to. Don't think that you can toy with her."
"Karin-chan is perfectly safe with me." He purposely ignored the other's angry flinch. With a pleasant smile, Naoya crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head. "I'd say she's more in danger with you than me, no? Shinigami-san."
"You will stay away from her. This is my final warning." There were no objections as Toushirou made his way down the flight of stairs. But while he may have gotten the last word, he had to know that the war was far from done. As he watched the other retreat, Kichida straightened his face into a wary dismissal, all hints of good humor gone.
"It ain't over 'til it's over, Hitsugaya-sensei."
Karin wasn't taking any shit today. "No way, absolutely not."
"But there aren't enough servers! We're so understaffed right now."
"None of us expected this many people and our shift ends in an hour. There'll be a fresh batch of workers and you can enjoy the festival afterwards."
"Please, Kurosaki, just help out for a little while!"
While doling out instructions and cutting up whatever was needed, Karin had been checking up on the actual restaurant part of their classroom. It had been a success from the get-go thanks to some well placed signs and a few of their cutest classmates milling about in costume. She'd been serious about staying away from any customers.
But her friends were right, none of them were prepared for the massive influx of visitors. All the tables were occupied and there was a growing line waiting to be seated. If they didn't find a way to keep everyone in check they might lose business or worse, a riot might start.
"But… I don't even have a costume," she replied lamely, reluctantly. Her apron covered in food wasn't appropriate.
"No problem. We've got a few extras. Right this way, Kurosaki." The pushing and pulling of hands had her stuttering out a few curses. Karin had never been good with manhandling and she hated it when people she didn't know well got too familiar with her. It was a miracle that they managed to get her into costume and made up (in record time as well), as she sputtered and threatened to murder someone at every turn.
Going to check up on his class, Hitsugaya did his best to keep the vehement irritation off his face. But the sound of giggling whenever he walked by was starting to chaff at his nerves. There were moments when he desperately missed Soul Society, where the only laughter at his expense came from Matsumoto or Hinamori. Here, he was perpetually bombarded with love-struck ones and occasionally amused chuckles from Karin.
At the thought of her, something protective tightened in Toushirou's chest.
He'd tried to reason with himself that he wasn't going there to see her specifically. He'd never warded off Kichida in public, mostly because he didn't want the animosity to be widely known. But Hitsugaya couldn't tell Karin why he acted the way he did, not without inciting an argument along the way. So he would keep avoiding the subject for as long as he had to, because she wasn't part of the mission and he would do everything in his power to keep it that way.
He was still wracking his brain when the slid the door open, a small line inside but organized. He expected nothing less from his ambitious students, as he surveyed the room and its occupants. Deeming it satisfactory, he didn't notice the hostess coming to greet him.
"Welcome, sir. Table for one?" He didn't expect the sound of her voice to send a shock directly through his bones, robbing him of any comfort he came in with. Turning stiffly, Toushirou looked down at one Kurosaki Karin, dressed in a flowing kimono with her hair half pinned, half down. Where there was usually clear skin was now gently powdered, cheekbones highlighted and lips tinged rouge. A consort to a king was what she looked like and from the way eyes traced her tall form, Toushirou had a feeling he wasn't the only one to think so.
"I thought you weren't working." No need to greet her or anything, Toushirou. As if she's not mad enough at you already.
"It was getting busy and I needed to help out. I'll be done in—" she checked the time before flipping her gaze back to him, "—about twenty minutes. Would you like table, Sensei? There's only a fifteen-minute wait."
Before he could respond, an arm draped itself over Karin's shoulders. His blood simmered at the telling gesture, as a handsome samurai made himself comfortable by pressing her into his side. The intense itch to pop a Soul Candy into his mouth didn't disappear as dark eyes met his.
"I can show you to a table right now, if you'd like. Think of it as a free service," Naoya grinned boyishly, the kind of greeting that would make a girl's heart race.
All it did was make Toushirou's murderous intent even more potent. "It wouldn't be right to cut in front of all these people. Besides, I mostly came to check up on all of you."
"'All of you'? You sure about that?"
"Alright, enough. There's no need to be so hostile," Karin reminded them forcefully, pulling out of Kichida's hold. "If you two can't be nice, then both of you need to leave. I don't care where, just don't bring it into the classroom."
"If that's how it's going to be, then I suppose I'll head back," the younger man shrugged, winking at a girl who'd been staring at him for the last ten minutes. The way she nearly melted into the ground made Karin scoff at his audacity. "Don't worry, Karin. I only have eyes for you."
"Thank you. Now please go back to work. You'll be free to flirt with whoever you want after you're done."
"What if I don't want to flirt with anyone else?"
Now that made her laugh. This guy flirted with anything in a skirt. "I won't believe you. You're all over the girls and they love you for it. So go use some of that flattery where it's wanted and let me handle the front."
As Toushirou watched them, there was no way for him to deny the fact that the exchange was comfortable, playful even. He could even commend Naoya on his execution, understanding just how far he could joke before Karin became outright annoyed. But right then, Karin was far from testy. In fact, she practically glowed under the attention. Toushirou could do little more than observe their exchange, growing more and more irritable.
When Hitsugaya exited, Karin wasn't sure if she should've let him. When it came to Kichida and his attentions they were always at odds. And they never discussed him, no matter how hard she hinted. So it was with a heavy conscience that she let him walk out, turning back to a new couple and giving them their waiting time before directing another to their table.
By the end of the shift, people were stretching out their limbs and orienting the other half of their class to their new assignments. She was glad to be back in her uniform, hair tied back as she thanked everyone for working so hard. It'd been strenuous and tiring but fun, just as she remembered it to be.
Before she made her way to the door, Kichida called out to her. "Hey, Karin, wait up."
"What is it?"
Still dressed in costume, he put on that gentlemanly façade of his. She didn't buy it for a moment. "Wait up for me while I change. We can go look around the campus together."
"Umm, I'm not sure that's a good idea…" The sight of a few eavesdroppers in her periphery made her sensitive to how much time she spent with him.
"C'mon. I'm not that bad to hang out with, am I?"
"It's not you I'm worried about," she laughed, as she jutted her head to the left. "I'm pretty sure I'm being an eye sore right now."
Seeing what she meant, the uncaring shake of his head was a kind rebuff. "I don't care about what they want. I had every intention of spending the rest of the day with you."
"Why?" It came out so fast even she was surprised. "You're pretty much wanted by any girl who lays their eyes on you. If it wasn't for that huge ego and your inability to not flirt with anyone with two eyes, I'd might've been one of them." But only if a certain someone leaves me alone first. After all, I'm the kind of weirdo who has monogamous crushes.
His snicker was expected but his reply was not. "That's what I like about you, Karin. You don't care about what I say or do, if I'm faking it or not. You just kinda get me. I feel like I don't have to try so hard."
She froze, not sure if that was a confession or if she needed to answer. But even if she did, there wasn't anything coming to mind, no flippant response that usually came quickly enough. So when he spoke, Karin wasn't able to turn him away.
"Just, give me a chance, okay? I'll be right back." He left her there, staring after him dumbly.
Feeling stifled all of a sudden, she stepped into the hallway to collect herself. A moment alone would be enough to sort herself out, she promised, as she made her way towards an empty classroom. She'd come back and tell him that chasing after her was a bad idea, a terrible one, really. Relationships had always confused her and a serious one had never held any appeal, not right now anyway.
Settling into one of the desks, she placed her head in her arms and took a deep breath. So Naoya had been serious since the beginning. She'd thought he'd been playing around, leading her on just like all the others. Not that she minded when he did it with other people but she'd always been too serious and controlling to let a boy come in and dictate her life.
The voice that drifted in was so soft it didn't have the strength to startle her. "Are you okay?"
"I'm not in the mood for games, Toushirou." And she wasn't, not if she was using his first name while still in the building. But as he closed the door behind him, the shinigami knew he had a few things to tell her, things she wouldn't want to hear.
"You know," he started, coming in to sit on the edge of the teacher's desk, "there was a reason why I warned Kichida away from you."
"Because he's a dick and so are you?"
Scowling, he tugged at her hair hard enough to get her to look up at him, dark eyes ablaze. "I'm serious, Karin."
"So am I."
"He's not what he seems. I'm telling you this for your own good." Just a cursory inspection and he knew the exact moment when she went from sedately disinterested to full-on anger.
"Do this, do that! Roll over, jump, sit! Good girl, have a treat! Seriously, I'm so sick of your orders, Tosushirou! I'm not the one that works for a guy in a pink coat so spare me the instructions and just do your job."
"I am. That boy is my job," he replied gruffly, just as Karin jumped up from her chair. The harsh demand aimed at him made Hitsugaya sigh, as he ran a hand through his hair. "You know about shinigami and Hollows and Quincy. That boy is like you in a way. He's spiritually gifted and he knows it."
"So he fights a few Hollows, big deal. I've been doing that since I was a kid."
A smile attempted to cross his face but Hitsugaya quelled it with a stern look. "His interest in you isn't merely in passing, Karin. He really does want to get close to you."
"Oh?" She raised a brow then, tilting her hip to the side. "And why is that?"
He didn't miss a beat in answering. "Because you are strong. You're both compatible spiritually and you're quite possibly the strongest female in this world. He's drawn to that power inside you."
The silence as he let the notion settle was deathly still, the kind that few would disturb willingly. And all Toushirou could do was watch the shock permeate into the air, slowly replaced by fury and a veil of hurt. It was this reaction that he'd hoped to avoid by discouraging Naoya alone. But the boy had made too much progress and he was afraid Karin might really choose him of her own free will. Just why he felt so invested in that decision stayed clamped down in the back of his mind, as he forced himself to meet the heat in her eyes.
Her reply was low, drawn out. "Are you saying he wants me because of what my parents were? And for what exactly, breeding? I'm not an animal!" She began to pace, throwing her hands up in aggravation. "Is that why he's so interested in me? I can't help what I am! If he wants to take that up with Goat Chin, then he can feel free to—"
"It's instinctive. He wants you because he can't help it. But even if there are other reasons, Kichida still wouldn't be good enough for you." The words were so strange, so uncharacteristic, that Karin had to stop mid-sentence just to comprehend them. Even Toushirou had enough sense to be embarrassed, as he focused his gaze elsewhere. "Even if he did like you for you, he'd never be good enough, Karin."
"Spare me the pep talk. Especially when you don't mean it." Karin could hear her voice catch on the last word, sounding much less sarcastic than she intended. Clenching her eyes shut, she covered her ears in hopes of slowing down the pulse in her head. "I'm so fucking confused right now. And you're not helping at all, Toushirou. You shouldn't be talking about me like you know what I need."
"But I do," he said softly. Unknowingly his body had taken a step in her direction. "You deserve better than a guy like Kichida."
"He could be sincere, y'know. He might actually like me. Did you ever think about that?" she ground out, taking a step back as he continued to inch forward.
Oh, there was no doubt in Hitsugaya's mind that Kichida had grown fond of her. How could anyone not like Karin? She was strong and smart, with a tongue like lightning and dry wit that left most in confused awe. Even he had to admit that he'd grown increasingly fond of her over the last year, seeing her grow up so much in so little time.
And that was what made it so hard to stand beside her and watch her live her life. Because he knew that he would never be able to match that maturity, that one day she'd leave him behind while he lived as some faux Peter Pan. One year was such a short time for him but it was almost a lifetime for her. And that humbled him as much as it scared him.
But that didn't mean Kichida could have her. If he had his say, no undeserving man ever would. "Maybe, but that shouldn't be enough. Just because he might like you doesn't mean you have to like him."
"Maybe I do. Maybe he's exactly what I want." The bitterness of the lie made her mouth go dry, just as her back met solid concrete. But Toushirou didn't pause, didn't trip or fumble, not until he was pressing into her as he framed her against the wall. Green irises flashed dangerously, all seriousness as she struggled to hide her apprehension.
His answer was so sure she wanted to hit him. "He's not."
"And how would you know? I don't remember giving you permission to decide that for me," she growled. But she nearly choked on it when his hand came to her neck, petting the soft skin with his thumb. Karin didn't doubt that he could feel the throbbing of her pulse, neck heating as she turned her gaze away. "What're you doing, Toushirou? If you're trying to intimidate me, stop it. You don't scare me."
"I know." And he did. Karin was fearless, the type of woman to spit in an Arrancar's eye if the need arose, if she felt desperate enough. It made him want to protect her, ball her up in a blanket and never let her go. "I'm sorry, Karin. I really don't… I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm sorry for this."
When she moved to ask him—about the second apology, about his nearness, about anything other than the way their hearts were moving in sync—Toushirou kissed her with uncertainty that she could almost taste.
But it didn't sting like she thought it would, as he combed his fingers through her hair and forced her to follow his lead. The almost modest way he touched her was gentle, as if he'd thought about doing this a thousand times before. There was a carefulness in the way he held her, his other hand finding the junction of her waist as he moved tenderly against her inviting mouth.
He was being too kind for someone who'd always held her at arms' length. The groan that escaped her was so foreign in her ears that she nearly pulled away, caught off-guard by her own desire. But Toushirou was there to soothe it, stroking lovingly against her tongue in a way that her knees going weak. It wasn't hard to imagine him doing this in bed, trapping her against warm, white sheets as he tangled them together so intimately that she wouldn't be able to find all the pieces later.
It was the fact that it was so easy to love him that had Karin running scared.
She broke the kiss with a heavy heart, breaths taken in as uneven gulps. A few sweet words and a kiss that could send her body into heat weren't welcomed. Not without some sort of future attached. And no one knew how futile a wish that was more than she did.
When he didn't pull away immediately, Karin shoved him off, trying to refill her lungs with much-needed oxygen. However, Toushirou didn't let go easily, sliding a grip along her wrist. What he should say hung between them, polluting the air along with everything that worked against them. And it poisoned whatever good feelings the kiss had left her with, rubbing her raw in all the wrong places.
The feeling of a familiar reiatsu called her attention, eyes going to the doorway. And there was Naoya, looking unperturbed, even expectant at the sight of the two of them alone together. His eyes shifted over Hitsugaya, narrowed and assessing, lingering over where he held Karin at bay. But when they fell on her, all the animosity disappeared with a flash of a cheeky smile. Too perfect, too easy, as if he saw something he wanted and was willing to do anything for it. The idea soured her already grim mood, as she pulled away from Toushirou and marched right past him.
Both men watched her go, aware that Karin wouldn't indulge them anymore today. Kichida was tempted to argue that he hadn't done nearly enough to deserve her scorn but the Kurosaki temperament was as infamous as it was short. So he held his tongue before casting a glance at the ruminating captain, his gaze clouded with regret.
And again the battle was neither won nor lost, just a tenuous truce. For now.
AN: My next chapter will probably move back in time. Remember, I'm kinda doing this story in arbitrary order and I kinda want to explore Karin growing up, especially with Toushirou nearby.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Sorry it was so long (or is it, sorry not sorry? ;D). Please drop me a line and keep me happy because OMG Bleach is going on hiatus and then the end begins. I'm not ready guys. I'm just not ready...
Thanks for reading, everybody! Until next time~
