This is the eighth chapter of A Picture's Worth. I hope you all enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I do not own bleach, as usual. When I get it I'll be sure to let you all know.
A Picture's Worth
Chapter 8-A Little Bit
Karin was up and so was Toushirou. Karin was however wondering where he was since he was not in the kitchen, she noticed since the coffee mug was on the counter and it was empty.
"Toushirou" called Karin.
"Coming" he said in a gruff tone.
"Well, what's keeping you?" she asked as he entered the kitchen.
"Just getting ready as usual" he said as he walked past her to the door. He then paused at it.
Sounds more like he's hiding something Karin thought.
"Are you coming?" he asked. Karin then realized that she hadn't moved since she had last spoken. She shook off her weirdness and walked after Toushirou.
Karin and Toushirou were riding in The Hitsugaya limousine and parked in front of yet another boutique. They went in and just like last time Karin waited outside the dressing room. Karin's phone rang the Yamamoto ringtone as she was sitting and Karin picked it up immediately.
"So what's the theme for today, Yamamoto-san?" she asked expectantly.
"The fun and playful" said Yamamoto. Karin looked at her phone confusedly before talking back into it.
"I'm sorry, I thought you just said you wanted me to take a picture with a theme of 'fun and playful'" apologized Karin.
"I did" affirmed Yamamoto.
"So what you're saying is that you want me to take pictures of Toushirou being 'fun and playful'?" asked Karin.
"That is correct, young Kurosaki" said Yamamoto.
"But Toushirou is the most non-fun and non-playful person I know" said Karin.
"It's your job to change that, Kurosaki-chan" said Yamamoto. A thought then occurred to Karin.
"As a photographer, do I have a right to add whatever props or background I want?" she asked.
"Whatever you deem necessary. Now, I have a meeting, so I'll be looking forward to your picture" he said before a click was heard.
Karin put her phone in her pocket and as soon as she did Toushirou came out of the dressing room in a white sleeveless shirt and designer jeans. He also had a navy blue jacket over the shirt. On his feet were black sneakers.
"Wow" said Karin in shock.
"Pick your jaw up off the floor, Karin" he said as he walked past her. Karin followed after hurriedly.
"No, it's just… you look almost… normal" stated Karin.
"Normal?" he questioned.
"Yeah, like a regular average guy" she said.
"Hn" he commented.
"It's not like it's a bad thing" said Karin.
"Whatever" he answered.
"Anyway, I think I have an idea for the picture I'm going to take of you and I need your cooperation" replied Karin.
"I'm listening" he assured.
"I can't believe I'm doing this" Toushirou groaned.
"Well believe it. It's not that bad, Toushirou, we're only going to a playground" said Karin wondering why Toushirou would overreact so much about something as trivial as going to a playground.
"A playground is a place for children, I am no child" retorted Toushirou.
"So you keep saying" replied Karin.
"Why do we even have to go there?" asked Toushirou as they cruised to the park in the limo.
"Because it will show your fun side, or rather make a fun side" answered Karin.
"Reading is fun to me" argued Toushirou.
"I rest my case" Karin smirked.
Toushirou sighed as they reached the playground. He was thankful it was empty, so now no one could see him act like a total moron.
"Come on" said Karin as she got out of the car.
Toushirou groaned and followed after her. She then looked at him expectantly.
"What?" asked Toushirou.
"Well, why don't you go and have fun?" questioned Karin.
"I told you, I read for fun" he repeated.
"You can't tell me you've never been to a playground before" responded Karin, shocked.
"I've only come to playgrounds when Momo wanted to play there with her friends. She was older than me so I had to stay and watch. I don't play at playgrounds" he explained.
"That's actually really sad" commented Karin. Toushirou rolled his eyes.
"Alright, well let's start at the swings" ordered Karin.
So first, they started at the swings which were too weak to carry Toushirou's weight. Next, was the jungle gym dome which Toushirou climbed without effort, not a hint of a smile on his face. Last was the slide, Toushirou didn't smile, but Karin was cracking up at the sight of the model trying to slide down a slide way too small for him.
"Alright, this is becoming really tiring" stated Karin.
"You think so?" he asked sarcastically. He was a little miffed since that last one. He couldn't believe how much Karin laughed at him for it, and he knew he was never going to hear the end of it.
"Well come on, there's got to be something around here that will make you at least look like you're having fun" said Karin, not loosing hope.
Her eyes glazed over the playground until an object caught her eye. She completely forgot about Toushirou and ran to it. It was a soccer ball, though dirty. I was probably left behind by a child that was out there earlier.
Karin couldn't remember the last time she played with a good soccer ball. She picked it up and threw it in the air. She then bounced it on her knee, then the top side of her foot, then her head, then off of her chest and back to her knee again. She couldn't believe she forgot just how much fun she used to have with just the round object.
"Karin, what are you doing?" asked Toushirou as he had been standing there watching the whole thing.
"Have you ever played soccer, Toushirou?" asked Karin.
"Yes" he answered.
"Then try this" she said. She then bounced the object from her knee to the top side of her foot three times. She then used the tip of her sneaker to kick it in the air to Toushirou.
"Too easy" he said as the ball came to him. Toushirou caught it and began copying Karin's moves.
Karin watched him bounce the ball. She saw a look of mystification in his eyes as he bounced it. She then knew that a smile wasn't what she was looking for, but just the childlike innocence that she was sure he lacked.
Karin rushed, took out her camera, and focused her lenses. She then without hesitation took an amazing shot of Toushirou bouncing the soccer ball.
"Perfect" she said as she looked at the picture on the screen of her camera.
"What?" asked Toushirou as he stopped bouncing the ball and caught it in his hands.
"Nothing, it's just that we're done here. If you want to continue bouncing the ball, however-"
"Let's go" said Toushirou before Karin could even finish her sentence.
"Right behind you" said Karin, knowing he was going to do such a thing.
Soon the two were back into the limousine, riding back to the apartment. Karin looked at Toushirou.
"Where did you get that good at soccer, Toushirou?" asked Karin.
"I used to play, but only for a little while. I'm surprised I still remember those moves" he said indifferently.
"Well, I guess that's something we have in common" said Karin smiling.
I think I know him a little better, now that I see that in some ways we're alike. Still, I only know him a little bit better Karin thought.
Well this was the eighth chapter of A Picture's Worth. I hope you all enjoyed it. Please review.
