Chapter Ten: Denial
Nemu Kurotsuchi was not one to express too many feelings especially around that father of hers. Any kind of emotion toward any one or anything was such a sign of weakness in the tattooed mans presents that she had become rather melancholy after her rather ruff childhood. Not that she really had one; she was an artificial soul after all.
When she had first met Uryu, something had stirred in her. She didn't know his name or anything about the Angelic Archer, so she often pondered why she didn't just let him die of her fathers poison. Something coming from him made her different, and it seemed to be a change for the better.
She came to help him restore his powers during the time of the Bount, under her father's orders of course. He had seemed down trodden and hopeless, so she kicked (literally) some sense into him. Indeed it helped.
But there was something more to it. He seemed to be the only person in their entire plane of existence to care for the glum Lieutenant. Everyone in Soul Society thought she was weird enough as it is. He questioned her father's treatment of her and befriended her or at least she thought of him as a friend.
So with a feeling of comfort she sat down at the round table in the Urahara shop where Uryu was making tea.
"So how's that father of yours?" Uryu asked, leaning against the door way that connected the room to the kitchen. He had a smug look on his face, probably from thinking about her father.
Nemu sighed as she thought about her clown faced Captain, "He is the same…" she frowned a little as she delivered the information.
Uryu nodded in understanding. He was silent a moment before speaking up. "He calls himself you're father, after what I saw he…"
He was cut off by Nemu, who looked a bit uncomfortable. "I know, but I'd rather not talk about it." She smiled sweetly at him and that was enough for Uryu to shut up. Nemu would rather not remember her previous situations with her father that involved scalpels and bleeping machines that sounded like a marry-go-round.
A steaming whistle cleared her thoughts and Uryu disappeared behind the door way and emerged a second later with a tea pot. He poured a bit into Nemu's cup and a bit in his before sitting down. She gave him a smile of thanks and took a sip. It was indeed the best tea she had ever tasted, so warm and calming. She closed her eyes and smiled more, taking yet another sip. "You're tea is excellent, Uryu," She commented.
Uryu pushed his classes back up onto the bridge of his nose, "Why thank you. It's Gyokuro, one of my favorites."
Nemu continued sipping on her delicious tea, "Captain doesn't let me out much and I hardly get to taste tea quite as good as this."
Uryu took a sip of his own tea as he raised an eyebrow to Nemu's statement, "Well, if you don't mind me asking, besides the times I've seen you here, have you ever been to the human world before?"
Nemu shook her head in response, "No. Captain won't let me. Said I'd screw something up. Head Captain had to order him to have me here. He was rather embarrassed." The both of them laughed lightly at how Nemu's father would look like when he was mad and could do nothing about it.
Uryu took another small sip of tea before continuing the conversation, "So it's safe to say you have yet to step into a human's shoes."
Nemu thought on it. It was true she hadn't seen much of the human world, and what she did see didn't impress her that much. She nodded a little in response. I wonder what he's getting at, "Perhaps you could show me around?"
Uryu smiled at the goddess in front of him, trying very hard to hide a blush. It's not like he suggested the idea, "Oh, well sure. I think were all going around town tomorrow. Urahara should have a gigi for you."
Nemu smiled lightly at Uryu while taking a sip of his tea. He's so nice to me.
He didn't know how it happened or in what manner the operation was planed. All Toushiro Hitsugaya knew was that he was being pulled to this thing called a strip mall by a very enthusiastic Karin. Damn, what I get my self into just to please people. Yep Toushiro was not a happy camper.
"Come on, you'll like it," Karin said as they arrived at the mall, her hand clasped onto his. He glimpsed back at her brother who was walking next to Rukia. He honestly looked like he was about to kill somebody, most likely the white haired midget holding his innocent sister's hand.
Behind the Strawberry and ice princess was the rest of the group, including Nemu and Ishida who were getting along famously and Renji and Tatsuki engaged in conversation. That was indeed odd, the two had never met before but the white haired Captain shrugged and looked at a depressed looking Inoue.
Rukia and Ichigo had recently told them all of their situation and promised them to keep it a secret. Toushiro knew what they were going through at the moment. Their relationship position wasn't exactly the legalist. Matsumoto was doing her best to cheer Orihime up. Chad was as silent as ever.
As the group entered the lining of stores Rukia was immediately attracted to a plushy shop and googled into the window witch featured the latest Chappy doll. Ichigo tried, he really did, but wasn't able to escape his midget girlfriend's grip as he was dragged into the shop, scowl and all.
Toushiro and Karin had stopped at 'Soccer World' and were engrossed in the merchandise. He looked at new shirts while she looked at an array of soccer balls displayed above the register. "Toushiro come look at this," Karin called.
He walked over to her and muttered, "Did you have to be so loud?" Karin replied by sticking her tong out at him.
Karin raised her finger to a soccer ball on display above the register, "That's the greatest soccer ball in all of Japan."
"And?" Toushiro asked.
"I want it," Karin replied.
"So get it," Toushiro shrugged and was about to make his way back to looking over shirts but was grabbed by Karin.
"You don't get it," Karin said with a smirk on her face, "On a date you're supposed to pay…"
Toushiro blinked, "What? A date? Who said this was a date. Plus I don't have any money." What would make her think this was a date anyway!?
Karin raised an eyebrow, "Oh not a date? Then what about on the way home from the carnival? You didn't seem to mind us getting close then."
Toushiro sighed, "I didn't… damn you!"
Karin crossed her arms, "Elementary student."
Toushiro got mad, "I'm not an elementary student you little brat."
There faces got closer and closer. Both fuming before they were able to notice how close they were. They both blushed but wouldn't budge.
Karin moved in a bit closer, "yes you are…"
Toushiro followed suit, lips inches apart. "Shut up," he whispered.
"What the hell!?" A flustered Ichigo said. Both Karin and Toushiro jumped away from each other and sweat dropped. Ichigo was fuming in the doorway to the store. Rukia stood next to him with a Chappy plushy in her arms.
"Ichigo, you ruined the moment," said a disappointed Rukia.
"Damn strait," Ichigo said before being pulled by the ear. He yelped in pain.
"Stop being so protective Ichigo, Let Karin grow up," Rukia lectured on and her voice faded as the couple left the shop.
"Kuchiki seems to have your brother on a leash," Toushiro stated in awe at the scene that had just taken place in front of him.
"Yeah… Now off to buy that ball," Karin said marching off to the register.
Toushiro sweat dropped and followed. Not even together with this girl and already whipped. Danm you Kurosaki.
"Thanks Toushiro," Karin said smiling at the captain who had been forced to by the soccer ball she now help under her arm.
"Yeah," Toushiro replied in a deadpan voice.
"Sorry for getting mad," Karin apologized. It must have been his tone, it wasn't like her to apologize so easily.
The two entered the Urahara shop. They had left the mall early out of sheer boredom.
"I'm sorry as well... I wasn't exactly the nicest person in the world," Toushiro replied as the two entered the kitchen. The house seemed empty.
"It's okay," Karin stated as she hopped up onto the counter.,"I'm not exactly the nicest person sometimes either." She kicked her feet back and forth. Toushiro found it irresistibly cute. There was a moment of silence before Karin spoke up, "What's happening Toushiro? I mean what's happening between us?"
He sighed and stepped towards her. "I don't know, but it's something I haven't experienced before, " he stood right in front of her and bore into her eyes.
Karin looked down at him and bit her bottom lip. "If we did what I think we almost did back in the sports shop," she decided to start over, "Is it such a bad thing if we actually do it?"
"I don't know… It's waking a thin line," Toushiro replied.
They both stared intently at one another. Their hearts raced as they neared each other. Karin put a hand on his cheek and Toushiro put his hands down on either side of her, glued to the counter. Their lips brushed in a test before they went at it like a bunch of teenagers. Karin's lips tasted so sweet to Toushiro it made him want more with every taste and she craved him just as much. This kiss was not full of lust, but of innocents. It was their first and it remained rather modest. It was a kiss of Lovers. They thought of nothing beyond the kiss and remained in the moment.
Sadly they were interrupted.
Toushiro's cell phone was beeping. The two parted, breathless. They looked at each other a moment before Toushiro grabbed his cell phone. He sighed and rested his head against her chest, her chin on the top of his head. "What is it?" Karin asked.
Toushiro closed his eyes "Arrancar," he stated in a low voice.
Karin sighed, "We best be going, their probably back for Orihime."
Toushiro nodded and stepped back to help her down off the counter.
They'd have time later, but the greater good called for their service. This battle would not be easy and they felt that in their bones.
A/N: Sorry It took so long. Had my Wisdom Teeth out. Would have done it after the surgery but that Oxycotton stuff makes you really tired. Thanks for the reviews all and fair warning. I'm not finished with the ruff draft of the next chapter so I might be a while. Until next time R and R.