Chapter 10: Boredom

The word boredom didn't appeal much to Kosuke… after all, it was very rare for him to feel that way, so to prevent himself from feeling that numbing sensation, he decided to help out with cleaning the shop this morning, together with Ururu and Jinta. His father locked himself in the basement, probably coming up with a new invention, and his mother was not yet back from Soul Society. She was a Taichou after all. The two brats were inside the shop, arguing since Kosuke could hear screams and such. He was presently sweeping the grounds at the entrance, making sure no fallen leaf or trash could be seen around the area. He was whistling a rather happy tune, given that he was still pretty much heart broken. He couldn't keep beating himself up, he had to be strong! He promised Karin that he would give it his best and that's exactly what he's going to do. He won't give up on her!

True, she had been insensitive, Soi Fon had not been caring at all through the course of their relationship, which lasted only for six weeks, but Kosuke would never blame her for hurting him, she was the first woman he loved and even if he wanted to hate her, he just couldn't bring himself to. Kosuke figured she was probably too timid and shy, and she really had no idea on how man/woman relationships should go. Soi Fon never really had close girlfriends before, probably the reason why she was so inexperienced. But hopefully, with Rukia and Ayame as her friends, Soi Fon would come around, soon he hoped.

"Hello?" someone had opened the gates to the shop and peeked in. Kosuke turned to see who it was and saw a pair of light brown eyes staring at him. Kosuke held his breath in surprise, it was the love of his life. Which was really ironic since he had just been thinking about her.

"S-Soi Fon-san, hello…" He shyly greeted. It was a first for him because he was never this shy!

"Oh… Kosuke.." she looked away from him and spoke once again; "I was wondering if Yorouichi-sama was already here…"

"Okaa-san should be back anytime soon, at least that's what Otou-san told me." Said Kosuke

"I see…" she said. Kosuke noticed that she was really feeling awkward talking to him. He figured that it was normal since the last time that they had spoken to one another, it turned into a very nasty argument.

"You could wait for her inside if you want…" said Kosuke as he motioned for her to enter the house/shop.

"Really? Then I will… Excuse me for intruding!" she said as she took of her sandals and entered. Kosuke lead her to the living room as she sat on the tatami mats.

"Would you like some tea?" he offered.

"No thank you…"

"Ok. I'll return to sweeping the grounds then, excuse me."

"K-kosuke! Wait!" she called. Kosuke turned to face her in surprise.

"H-hai?"

"Well… Could you stay here and wait with me, if that's okay with you?" Soi Fon never really had problems staying on her own, but somehow, even though they've broken up, she found Kosuke's presence soothing.

"S-sure!" he replied as he shakily sat in front of her. This was a big chance for him! But he was feeling awfully nervous. He didn't know what to do.

"Where's Urahara?" she asked, trying to make a conversation with him.

"He's in the basement working on something…" he answered. Kosuke was trying his best to prevent himself from grabbing her and kissing her senseless, he had missed her so much!

"Ah… and the kids? And Tessai?"

"The kids are upstairs cleaning, and Tessai-san went out to buy groceries…"

"I see." She said. The atmosphere in the living room felt really awkward. Both were silent. After a few minutes of awkward silence…

"Soi Fon-san!"

"Kosuke!" they called each other at the same time. Both blushed crimson in embarrassment.

"Y-you go first…" said Kosuke

"No you go first…" she said.

"Go ahead… Ladies first…"

"No you go…"

"You go… I insist…"

"I insist…harder…"

"Well… I…" Kosuke began to say, when he was cut off by Soi Fon.

"Wait! I should go first…" she suddenly said. "I have been thinking and… I think I owe you an apology…"

"Huh?"

"It might be a little late but… I just want you to know that I'm really sorry for what I did to you. I never meant to hurt you, Kosuke…" she said. The Soi Fon he knew would never apologize so sincerely like that! He guessed that it was probably because of Rukia and Ayame's influence.

"Soi Fon-san… you don't have to apologize. I've already forgiven you." He said with a smile.

"Y-you have?" she asked. She was pretty sure that he was mad at her.

"Uh-huh!"

"Why?"

"Why? Well… I couldn't bring myself to be angry with you, even if I wanted to…" said Kosuke. Soi Fon blushed harder. Why the hell was she blushing?!

"Oh…" was her simple answer.

"So uhmm…"

"Oh sorry. You had something to say?" she asked

"Yes. Well umm… Err…" Kosuke couldn't find the right words.

"Go on…" she urged. Kosuke swallowed hard before continuing.

"I-I just want you to know that m-my feelings for you have not changed and I'm pretty sure that they won't ever change even if I die…" Kosuke said, feeling rather embarrassed with his cheesy lines. But that was his true feelings after all.

"Ohh…uhmm…"

"Y-you don't have to say anything… I just wanted you to know how I really feel. Ehehe… Well I really have to get back to sweeping the grounds, excuse me…" Kosuke stood and turned to leave the room, when Soi Fon suddenly grabbed his arm and stood up as well.

"Kosuke…" she whispered, not letting go of his arm.

"Yes…?" Kosuke walked towards her, and when she made no effort to back away, he continued to move closer.

"I...really…" Soi Fon began to say….They were now only a few inches apart from each other. Kosuke, who couldn't control himself any longer, closed the gap between them as he grabbed Soi Fon's other arm and pulled her into a tight hug. Soi Fon blushed an even deeper shade of red and was too surprised to move.

"Soi Fon…" Kosuke whispered as he pulled away from the hug and reached out to cup her cheeks, when Soi Fon didn't slap his hand away, Kosuke leaned his face closer to hers, feeling her warm breath on his face, made him inch closer to her lips…

"Kosuke! You have got to see this, son! I've really outdone myself this time!" said a rather cheerful Urahara Kisuke, as he slid inside the room. The two instantly broke apart.

"I…have to go!" said Soi Fon, she was suddenly gone from the room, as if she just used shunpo.

"Oh my… Have I interfered with something?" asked Kisuke

"DAD!"

"Rukia-chan…"

"Yes?"

"Rukia-chan…"

"Nani?"

"Rukia-chan!"

"Geez Ayame what? I know you're bored but that's not a good enough reason to pester me!" said a very exasperated Rukia. Rukia had decided to stay in the shinigami house while Ichigo was away on his training. Staying with the Kurosaki's would just make her miss him more. It was a really uneventful day for them…

"Demo… It's only been a week since we arrived here and I'm already bored! Plus my Ren-chan isn't here too! I wish there was something we could do to kill time…" said Ayame. She was seated on the sofa, next to Rukia, and the t.v was on. On the couch adjacent to them sat Shin, reading a book intently.

"Yeah… and we never get to kill hollows to since Shin here always beats us to it!" said Rukia

"Sorry…" mumbled Shin, not steering his gaze away from the book.

"Sigh… Oh hey, where's Toushiro by the way?"

"Hmm… He was just here eating with lunch with us… He must've left. He always leaves the house this time of the day…" said Ayame

"I wonder where he goes off to?"

"Who knows… Maybe he really likes Karakura, and he's just watching the sceneries or something… But you know, Renji was saying something about Toushiro-kun not being himself, just before we left Soul Society…"

"Really? I wonder what's bothering him…" said Rukia as she pounded on the thought. What could possibly be bothering the young captain? But before Rukia could dive deeper on her thoughts, noise could be heard at the front door. Hearing the sudden noise, the three quickly stood up.

"Who's there?" called Shin, as they heard the door open.

"Yey! We're here! We're here!" screamed a very excited girly voice.

"This house is exquisitely beautiful!"

"Oww! That friggin' door's too low!"

"Damn this house is big! It's fcking clean too!"

"Quit swearing! I don't want my child to hear curses!"

"It's my child too you know?!" the owners of the voices then arrived at the living room. Rukia, Shin, and Ayame's jaw dropped in surprise.

"What are you guys doing here?!"

"Oh hi Rukia-chan! It's been awhile!" squealed a pregnant Matsumoto as she enveloped Rukia into a bone-crushing hug.

"Oh that's right! I forgot that Rangiku-san and Ikkaku-san are having their vacation here too!" said Ayame

"I see…But… why are these three with you as well?" asked Rukia. She was, of course, referring to the other guests. The fierce 11th squad captain, Zaraki Kenpachi, the hyper vice-captain, Kusajishi Yachiru, and the incredibly vain 5th seat, Ayasegawa Yumichika.

"Ken-chan and I have never been to the human world before! Right, Ken-chan?"

"Uhh. Where's that darn Ichigo?!" demanded Kenpachi

"Training…"

"That's great then, I'll make sure to drop in on this training of his. Haha!" said the blood-thirsty captain

"Uhmmm…"

"Oh that's right! I forgot! Everyone, this is Kaguroi Shin, 13th squad vice-captain!" said Rukia as Shin bowed down.

"Uwah! He's really good-looking!" said Rangiku as she stepped closer towards him and eyed Shin from head to toe. Her eyes turned into hearts as Ikkaku roughly pulled her away.

"He looks weak… is this guy really a vaizard?!" asked Kenpachi

"Yes I am… Zaraki-taichou…" answered Shin

"Then after I beat the crap out of Ichigo, you're my next opponent!" said Kenpachi as he walked in circles around Shin, sniffing him. Shin sweat-dropped.

"N-no! This guy is beautiful! He's beautiful enough to fight evenly with my beauty!" said Yumichika, as he gazed dreamingly at him.

"Hey stop messing with Shin! So! Everyone up for some ice cream?" said Rukia

"Ice-what?" that definitely caught their attention.

"Okay everyone! That's it for today, good job! See ya guys tomorrow!" said Karin. The members of her soccer team then waved goodbye to her and ran off the field. Two members were still on the bench, panting for air.

"You're pretty good…" said a black-haired boy with glasses as he drank from his water bottle.

"Not bad yourself…" said Toushiro, as he wiped off his sweat with a towel.

"You guys were really going all out there huh? If you do just that in our game, I'm pretty sure we'll win!" said Karin

"Of course we'll win Karin-chan! Our members have become stronger. And it's all thanks to your hardwork!" said Takuya

"Well I am the greatest after all! Hey, how about I treat you guys to something? Payment for doing well during practice."

"Sounds good to me!" said Takuya. Toushiro glared at Takuya but the latter did not seem to notice.

"Fine." He answered.

"Great! Let's get going then! I know this really nice ramen place…" After gathering all their stuff, the three walked their way out of the field, and into the main street.

"Karin-chan, this ramen place, where is it?" asked Takuya

"It's just down the road. Yuzu and I sometimes eat there on the way from school…" said Karin. After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at the ramen restaurant.

"Three orders of the special ramen please!" Karin told the owner. The owner nodded as he began to prepare the orders. They found themselves a table at the far back of the restaurant.

"I think I've eaten here before…" said Takuya

"Oh yeah! I forgot I already brought you here. Hehe…"

"It was after our exams! You managed to pass your math test and you really wanted to celebrate so you dragged me with you!" Karin and Takuya then started to reminisce of their times together as children, It made Toushiro remember his memories of his childhood friend, Hinamori Momo. Sure, they really had great times during those days, but Toushiro wondered to himself, that after what happened, would they still be able to be friends? He didn't know if he could forgive her, he was still pretty pissed at what she did after all! But he knew deep down, he could never hate his childhood friend.

"Toushiro, what's eating you? You're unusually quiet?" asked Karin, as Toushiro looked up from his ramen bowl.

"What?" he asked, still lost in his thoughts.

"Nevermind…:" Karinn sighed to herself. How she wished he would just open up to her, She's sure that if he did open up to her, it would make him feel better. She just wants to help him, for some unexplainable reason on her part.

"This ramen is amazing Karin-chan!" said Takuya as he began conversing with Karin again. Toushiro silently consumed his third bowl. A beeping sound then erupted from Toushiro's pocket.

"Toushiro! Your cellphone!"

"Huh? Oh." He pulled out his cellphone and flipped it open as he read the message. "Err… I have to go." He said as he hurriedly ran out of the restaurant.

"Oi wait! Takuya, here. The money for the meal. I have to go too. I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Karin-chan!!" called Takuya, but Karin quickly followed after Toushiro. Karin was able to catch up with him, just as he swallowed a soul pill.

"Toushiro!"

"Stay back Kurosaki!" shouted Toushiro, who was floating in the air in his shinigami form.

"I'll help too!" she said

"No. Just stay there!" he bellowed as he drew his zanpakutou. "Sit upon the frozen Heavens, Hyourinmaru!" Toushiro unleashed a water snake attack unto the hollow, and it hit the hollow's torso, but it was still standing. Toushiro flash stepped closer to the hollow and launched a downward swing, slicing the hollow's body into two. Toushiro landed on the ground safely. But unknown to the young captain, the hollow regenerated and was about to smash him, when Karin leapt in front of him and took the hit instead. The force of the hollow's attack, sent Karin flying a couple of meters back.

"Karin!" called Toushiro, as he flash stepped behind her and caught her in time before she hit the wall.

"Ow… that hurt…" said Karin, clutching at her chest.

"Stupid! Why the hell did you do that! I would have been fine even if I was hit!" scolded Toushiro, still holding unto her arms from behind her. The hollow, was now making its way towards them. Toushiro gently let go of Karin as he pointed his zanpakutou at the hollow. An ice attack from Hyourinmaru covered the hollow's entire body as it shattered into pieces.

"That was a really flashy move…"said Karin, who was walking limply towards him. Toushiro met her halfway, as she fell right into his arms.

"You okay?" He asked, even though it was pretty obvious that she wasn't.

"I'll live… You owe me big time, Toushiro…"

"I didn't ask you to save me you idiot!" he retorted.

"That's what friends do you know…" she said. Toushiro was surprised by her answer.

"We're friends?"

"Of course we are! And don't ever say we aren't!"

"Friends, huh?" He smiled to himself as he carried her all the way back to the Kurosaki residence.

A/n: with matsumoto and the 11th squad guys in the real world, things are about to get messy! Might be introducing the Rukia/Shin thing in the next chapter. Expect more SoiFon/Kosuke and Toushiro/Karin moments!Since Ichigo's in training, he won't be showing up for a while... Finished this chapter ages ago but my stupid computer broke down and all my files were deleted, but thankfully, I was able to save the half in my usb storage device. Sorry! Please Review!