Ichigo was turning 21 and Karin was starting to wonder why all of the Soul Reapers he knew had to be invited every year. Had they not all been there, she maybe could've forgotten about the stupid question she had asked a year prior. Maybe... If she hadn't also known Rangiku and been teased all year long about having some sort of odd crush on her white-haired best friend.

She didn't have a crush just so you know. She was just indifferent about romance and marriage, and Toshiro wasn't a bad person, and she knew that if she wasn't married by 26, Yuzu would probably whine about her being an old maid. Really, it was just a back-up plan to get out of being pestered by her sister for the rest of eternity.

Yet, she wasn't really sure that it had been worth it. They were supposed to be celebrating but she was hearing more curious whispering than anything else from the Soul Reapers scattered around her house. At one point, Ichigo had even ruffled her hair and claimed that she was stealing all his attention. She'd say she wanted to go home but she was home and really she just wanted everyone to leave or all get spontaneous amnesia or something.

Why did everyone have to be so nosy?

"You know what they're talking about right?"

She glared over at her equally annoyed best friend, "I wish I didn't."

"It's because they're unaware of your relationship status."

She rolled her eyes, "I don't really care why I just want them to stop. God, I wish I hadn't asked."

"Why did you ask?"

"I was only trying to get a back-up plan going. You know me. I could go my whole life without being married; I just didn't want Yuzu to bother me later."

"Still doesn't change the fact that you didn't have to ask right then. Furthermore, there was no need to ask me specifically. You have other friends. Friends that are living I might add."

Karin shrugged, "Maybe. But I did and you can't change that."

He rolled his eyes at her, "Then you can't change that everybody is gossiping about us."

She opened her mouth to respond but came back with nothing. She knew he was right. The only thing that could've changed the situation was if she had never said anything at all. Oh joy.

"So, um, Miss Kurosaki? Are you still single or has this plan already been dissolved."

Grey eyes looked straight into the face of a nervous looking young woman, "That's not really any of your business now is it?"

"She's single, Momo. Don't let her bad mood get to you," her brother's voice echoed almost teasingly from across the room.

The girl, Momo, only smiled, "Don't worry, I'm used to dealing with bad moods."

Then she was gone and Karin was back to glaring at all the gossipers and wishing she had been smarter at seventeen.

OMG I'M SO SORRY GUYS. COLLEGE IS LITERALLY THE WORST WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING FREE TIME. Also I recently became enthralled with so many other anime and got away from Bleach. Don't worry I'll keep writing for Bleach just not as predominantly as summers before. And yes if you are from Private School, I am going to finish my chapter stories. It may take me forever but I'll do it.