Chapter 6: The stars
"Why, taicho, are you so keen on going to the real world?" asked Matsumoto cockily yet in a whisper. They were at another meeting. Though this one was informal. The shinigami's assigned at earth are going tomorrow, and tonight was their only available time to plan for it.
Byakuya was at the corner acting all tough, but he was feeling awkward. Rukia was sitting next to Renji and they were talking about Ichigo (no doubt, they don't know that he is in college). Madarame and Yumichika were sitting and doing nothing.
"What are you talking about? This is a mission." growled Hitsugaya, his brow furrowed.
"A certain, Karin-chan perhaps?" she said her eyebrow rose in a knowing glance.
"Shut up!" said Hitsugaya. Ikkaku and Yumichika stared at him then smiled also knowingly.
They were there. In his date with Karin, and he knew if ever they were in his division he had probably kicked them out and transferred them to the 12th squad where they could be examined by Kurotshuchi taicho.
But the 11th squad had lower tolerance. Zaraki did not care about their utter rudeness, the only thing that mattered to him was that they were able to fight and kick hollow butt.
"Kuchiki taicho, are you quite sure you want to join us?" said Hitsugaya, avoiding the stares and glances from the others.
Byakuya glared at him, no doubt trying to bite of his remarks at his meddling. But then he nodded and said,
"I am going to my quarters now. No one bother me. Renji and I have papers to do before we go to the real world."
Then he went out without another word. Hitsugaya scoffed.
"Okay. Now we have a better chance with the Arrancar. Considering we have two taichos in our league and two fukutaichos. We might get this job over earlier than we expected." said Ikakku.
"I wonder how many they are?" asked Rukia. Renji who was lying on the floor ever since Byakuya left, said,
"I think about 3 only. We have an over advantage for them. Maybe we should handle the hollow problems while we are at it."
They nodded.
"Im quite excited to get back." said Matsumoto.
"Rangiku-san, is it about shopping again?" asked Rukia with a small smile.
"They have cheaper items there!"
Hitsugaya gave them both a death glare, but they choose to ignore it especially since Yumichika joined in the babble of shopping trips.
Renji and Ikkaku started fighting over something trivial.
So Hitsugaya was left with himself. He wondered what Karin looked now. She would be 15 years old.
He glanced at the wall mirror. He definitely looked better now. He was not they puny looking grade schooler from before. In his standards he looked like a high school student senior.
What would she look like now?
HT/KK
Karin lied on the grass for the hundredth time in her whole life. It was the exact same spot where she and Toushiro slept in each other's arms.
No one was around at this time. It was 9 pm, it was cold and the air that blew on her face was not at all soothing.
But she couldn't help it. For some reason she felt like something magical was going to happen if she stayed.
She smiled at the stars. They seemed to still wink in approval. She closed her eyes, it was as if she could feel his presence in her.
"I wish… I wish I could see Toushiro again. Even for just one second, I wish I could be with him… To know if I should give up or not." she told the stars.
Then she felt warm all of a sudden.
What's going on?
She opened her eyes expecting to see white hair and electric blue-green eyes. But it wasn't.
It was her father Kurosaki Isshin, she seemed to be in a bundle.
"Don't worry, ive got you. You seem to have a cold. Your very warm." he said.
Karin nodded disappointedly and felt herself get knocked out.
HT/KK
I feel like a thousand bricks poured over on my head
What happened last night?
I think I fell asleep at on the grass
On the grass? Baka, of course you'd get sick.
Ive done it once, Kurosaki.
Yah well, it was with someone else Karin.
Why don't you open your eyes?
They feel heavy.
But she opened her eyes anyway. She was on her bed, a very warm towel on her head. Yuzu was on a chair sleeping with her mouth open in an annoying angle, that spit was spill from her sides.
"Yuzu." said Karin and poked her sister on her tummy.
She woke up instantly and saw that Karin was awake.
"Karin! Are you okay? You have a cold." she said and went to get the thermometer.
When she checked that Karin was indeed feeling better she went out to get her breakfast.
When she came back she sat on the side of Karin.
"Karin, why where you there anyway?" she asked anxiously, as if she thought Karin was off her rocker.
"I just felt It." said Karin honestly." What time is it anyway, Yuzu?"
"It's 6am. I don't know about you, but you are certainly not going to school today." said Yuzu in an annoying way plus the finger wagging.
"Whatever, I know im not sick anymore. But I just don't feel like It." replied Karin burying her head in her pillow.
"Alright." said Yuzu dismissively, and went out. Probably to get dressed for school.
Karin laid back on the bed and groaned. A head ache was back.
HT/KK
Back at Soul Society the shinigami's who will go to the real world have gathered over at the gates.
"Remember, if anyone dies in the attempt, don't hold back." said Ikkaku, his face splitting in a wide evil grin.
"Yeah right. That would be very un-beautiful." said Yumichika, posing for the invisible camera.
"Shut up you two!" barked Hitsugaya, he was anxious the whole night, so he didn't get enough sleep causing him to be extra cranky.
Then a strong reiatsu pounded in their bodies, it was the most familiar, because he seemed to be releasing it at most times. Or maybe he couldn't help it, they had to guess.
Kenpachi was running to them, Yachiru flying or grasping not to fall from Kenpachi's back.
"You people won't leave without a fight for who will able to go to the real world." he cried, beaming.
Byakuya and Hitsugaya did not move when the others made a run for the open gate. They scoffed.
"Let me handle this idiot." said Hitsugaya his face showing annoyance.
"You impudent little brat we have to go before the gate closes." said Byakuya his face etched with dislike.
Then they ran after the gate. Sending a howling Kenpachi to shout in rage. Hitsugaya stared at Byakuya with pure spite.
HT/KK
Karin bounced of bed all of a sudden.
That reiatsu… It can't be?—
She took of the towel from her head and dashed out of the room. Everyone was not in the house so she locked the door and went after the familiar reiatsu. She ran faster to the park.
Karin looked up in the sky, as if expecting him or them (she could feel the others too), to just fall from the sky.
But to her surprise however, she saw a flying carpet above. Then she jumped into a bush when she saw it was going to descend exactly where she stood.
What surprised her most of all was not the carpet; it was the people who descended from it.
Her eyes widened most of all when she saw a man she dreamt about for days.
It was Toushiro.
