Chapter Nine
Cannot Be Denied
That night Karin lay in bed hugging her pillow. Beside her Yuzu was fast asleep, her breathing came in calming sighs. By that alone Karin could tell she was having a good dream. Rolling over on her side, Karin thought back on the kiss that had almost happened. She couldn't help but smile.
It had been so sudden and strange but also had been so undeniable. Closing her eyes she could see Hitsugaya's sea green eyes. Hugging her pillow tighter she inhaled softly, still smelling Hitsugaya's old spice faintly. Rolling over once again she sat up and looked out the window. The night sky was clear and cool, with a slight breath as a breeze. Opening the window Karin allowed the breeze to slip into the room. After a minute she moved away from the window and out into the hall. Glancing down at Ichigo's bedroom she fought the urge to slip towards the door and see if she could hear anyone awake in the room. Shaking her head she walked down to the kitchen and got herself a glass of water.
"Karin?" Ichigo asked walking into the room. "What are you doing up?"
"Getting a glass of water" Karin answered. "What are you doing up?"
"Getting something to drink" Ichigo responded pulling a soda out of the fridge.
"You know it's not good for you to drink soda so late"
"Save me the lecture" Ichigo yawned. "Did something happen tonight?"
"What do you mean?" Karin asked trying not to let her mind wonder back to the near kiss.
"Well, you came home tonight and went straight to bed"
"Oh... I fell at the shelter tonight" Karin said putting her glass in the sink. "I'm going back to bed."
"Hitsugaya had a smile on his face" Ichigo pointed out taking another sip of his soda. "When dad asked him about it, he said something good happened to him."
"Yeah" Karin responded thinking quickly. "He met a friend at the shelter."
"Peanut"
"Pango" Karin corrected. "Good night Ichigo."
"Morning" Ichigo said. "It's four in the morning."
"The zoo?" Karin asked the next morning.
"Yes" Yuzu responded. "They're introducing the new panda cubs today, and I want to go see them but dad said I can't go alone."
"So drag Ichigo along" Karin said.
"He won't go with me" Yuzu pouted. "So dad said if you'd go with me, I could go."
"Fine" Karin responded pushing her bowl away. "Anyone else going?"
"Hitsugaya" Yuzu answered. "I thought I'd pack us a lunch."
"Yeah sure, I'll go change then"
"Oh, can you check on Hitsugaya? He was getting ready to get dressed the last I knew"
"Why would I check on him if he's getting dressed?" Karin demanded.
"Please, just knock on the door and ask him if he's okay. Ichigo says he's been acting weird at night"
"He'll be fine" Karin said walking out of the room. "I'll check on him after I finish getting dressed."
"Thank you Karin"
"Yeah yeah" Karin waved.
As promised Karin checked on Hitsugaya after she dressed. She found him in the living room sitting on the couch looking at the brochure that Yuzu had given him while she prepared lunch. Watching him Karin couldn't help but smile.
"I went to the zoo once" Hitsugaya said all of a sudden. "I was a kid... and there was another child there. I was on someone's shoulders..."
Karin swallowed as she listened. She could see Hitsugaya's face crease with confusion and pain. Standing it no more Karin swiftly made her way over to him and grabbed his hands. Kneeling down in front of him she swallowed hard.
"Tell you what" she said quickly, tumbling on the words. "While we're at the zoo today I'll buy you all sorts of cotton candy... a-and ice cream... and we'll laugh at the baboons... we'll do whatever you want Hitsugaya."
"Karin"
"H-hmm?" Karin asked.
"C-call me Toushirou"
"Y-yeah" Karin said smiling.
"Almost ready!" Yuzu called from the kitchen.
Standing up Karin slowly pulled away from Hitsugaya, not really wanting to. Putting on a smile Karin shoved her hands into her pockets. Glancing at him from the corner of her eye she noticed he was watching her. Seeing it she couldn't help but blush a little.
Seeing it Hitsugaya stood up and gently reached out. Taking Karin's hand he turned her towards him so that he could see into her eyes. This only deepened Karin's blush. Gently reaching up Hitsugaya's hand fell onto Karin's check, beckoning her closer. Karin's breath caught in her throat once again when Hitsugaya leaned in so close his lips lightly brushed against her. Swallowing Karin started to lean forward to deepen the kiss. When her lips touched his she expected him to pull away suddenly like he had the night before at the animal shelter. Hitsugaya never did though. As soon as Karin's lips touched his he leaned in completing the kiss.
They stood for a minute, lips touching, lost in their own world. All to soon it was over. Stepping back Karin touched her lips and glanced at Hitsugaya. She couldn't help but smile when she seen he was blushing. They turned to the kitchen door when they heard Yuzu enter, ranting about what she had packed.
"Ready to go?" Yuzu asked looking at them. "D-did something happen?"
"No" Karin said walking over to the door. "Come on, we're going to be late."
Stepping out of the door she took a deep breath of air to clear her head. Smiling slightly she looked up at the sky. She couldn't deny that she had enjoyed the kiss that had happened between her and Hitsugaya. Glancing back at the house she noticed he was watching her again. Shaking her head she pulled her ball cap down some more.
"Let's go!" she called. "I've got a soccer game against the kids on the other side of town at five tonight!"
