Chapter 9: School surprises

Karin woke up with a backache. Last night was very eventful, but she couldn't put into her mind why it was.

Was it just a dream?

She checked the clock. It was 5:55. She woke up before the alarm clock did. Since it was a Wednesday, she had to go to school. She grunted and planted her feet firmly on the ground.

"Was it just a dream?" she repeated out loud to herself.

She shook her head, it seemed tired. Maybe it was real. She closed her alarm clock, then made her way to the clinic.

Their house never changed its look even when Ichigo left. It was still the same, and she passed the huge portrait of her dead mother. She smiled at it then blew it a kiss.

Some people would find it shocking, but whenever Karin's day started horribly, she blew her mother a kiss and it all turns out better.

Then she went to doorstep to check for mail, she picked it up, there was a letter from Ichigo there.

"Ichi-nii!" she whispered to herself.

Inside the letter indicated, he was coming home for the holidays. Karin re-read the letter until she entered the kitchen, not bothering to look up as she sat down.

She pocketed the letter, then heared someone bustling to her left.

She looked up expecting her father and said,

"Onii-san is coming for the hol—"

Then stopped. Sitting at her left was none other than Kuchiki Byakuya, who was surveying her. His hands were on the table and his face shown no emotion. In front of her was Toushiro, who looked shocked at her presence.

"Good morning?" she said, then stood up but Toushiro stopped her.

"It's okay, Karin. We were about to leave anyway." he said.

Byakuya was still looking at her.

"Is this the human girl Rangiku-san was talking about, Hitsugaya?" asked Byakuya to Toushiro.

"Yes. She is Kurosaki Ichigo's sister." he said his face impassive.

Karin was beginning to wonder why Toushiro was acting so different today. It was as if she was only a subordinate and not his date later tonight.



"You know the rules, it is not proper for a taicho to get involved with a human." said Byakuya coldly.

"And you care so much for the rules, right Kuchiki taicho?" replied Hitsugaya in an icier manner.

Karin was beginning to understand. A taicho or someone from soul society in particular is forbidden to have a relationship whatsoever with a human.

Then why did he ask me out in the first place?

Byakuya stiffened.

"Caring so much for the rules, you were willing to sacrifice your sibling." drawled on Hitsugaya.

"I did not have a choice." said Byakuya curtly. "And besides, I fixed it."

"Are you quite sure Rukia has forgiven you?" asked Hitsugaya.

Byakuya looked at him with dislike.

"I do not have a point to care if she has ever forgiven mo. Henceforth, that is particularly why I am here. To repay my debt, not only to her, but to my late wife, Hisana."

With that he stood up, and held his hand out for the doorknob.

"I do not care for what you do her, Hitsugaya taicho. But remember what I said." he said coldly.

Then he turned to Karin.

"Tell Isshin that I am thankful for hospitality and that I have work to do. I'll see you later at Inoue Orihime's place." added Byakuya to Toushiro, who nodded stiffly.

Then he left swiftly, even in his Gigai he looked impressive and taicho-like.

Karin turned back to Toushiro.

"What was that all about?"

Toushiro smiled.

"It is part of the rules not to have a relationship with a human." he said matter-of-factly.

"Then what are you going to do with me?" said Karin, feeling her body starting to burn with anger.

"Do you actually think im not going to fight tooth and nail for you? Karin, you should know that Byakuya also done that once for his wife, and im not going to stop being with you just because of a stupid law." said Toushiro, with a smile.

"Are you sure?" asked Karin light headedly.



"Yes, don't doubt me Karin. Ive done my promises even if they took so long." said Toushiro.

They stopped talking for a while, trapped in their own thoughts.

"Toushiro, where are the others?" asked Karin.

"Ikkaku and Yumichika went to get some of those boxed food to deliver at Inoue's. Matsumoto is still at the clinic, and I don't plan to leave without her. Rukia and Renji are also out."

Karin nodded.

"I have to get to school." she said and stood up.

"Okay." then he too stood up and made to go to the clinic.

Karin watched his back than called out,

"Dinner later!"

Toushiro turned, his brow furrowed. Then he grinned and said,

"How could I forget?"

HT/KK

When Toushiro got in the infirmary, Matsumoto had her eyes open and in the sight of Toushiro, she smiled and said,

"Thank goodness. I thought everyone left me."

"Shut up , Matsumoto." he said and placed a palm on her forehead. "You seem to be okay."

Matsumoto jumped out of bed and took of her bandages and band aid.

"Taicho, how could you say that? Im not weak." she said, her boobs bouncing.

"Let's get going, I left a note for Isshin." said Hitsugaya and he dragged her out of the window.

They shunpoed from rooftop to rooftop, then they felt a hollow spike.

Without consulting each other, they popped in a substitute and told it to stay there.

Then Toushiro's eyes widened when he saw where the hollow was placed.

Karakura High school

HT/KK

Karin went out of the Kurosaki household, taking note that she couldn't feel Toushiro and Rangiku-san's reiatsu.



She started walking to school her head in the clouds.

"Yes, don't doubt me Karin. Ive done my promises even if they took so long." said Toushiro.

She smiled.

He is really serious isn't he?

Yes, I wonder what he is going to do?

Don't ask me, how could I know Im as clueless as you.

I'll ask him later.

Good idea.

Then as she came closer to the school, she felt a hollow close at her school. Then another reiatsu, it was Toushiro and Matsumoto's.

She ran faster and faster until she reached the school gate. There she saw tow figures battling the biggest hollow she has ever seen.

"Karin! Watch out!" cried Toushiro.

The hollow swiped in the air as Matsumoto slashed her zanpakuto at the hollow.

Then she remembered what Toushiro told her 5 years ago. This was a Menos Grande.

Then Toushiro released his shikai. And with one slash, it was gone.

"Toushiro, you alright?" she asked when they descended.

Toushiro nodded.

"There will be more Menos Grande now that we defeated the Arrancar." said Matsumoto.

"They will definitely be drawn now that we have so much spirit force in one place. It was enough when Ichigo was here. Now we added a whole bunch more." said Toushiro with a sigh.

"So more will come?" asked Karin.

"Yes, Karin, I need to place a guide at your house." said Toushiro.

"What? How about my dad? He is a shinigami." said Karin, shocked Toushiro even suggested.

"But he is not enough. Menos Grande are tough. And Isshin has not used his power for years." said Matsumoto.

"Im going to ask Rukia to stay with you." said Toushiro.



"But does that not mean Byakuya has to stay there too?" asked Matsumoto skeptically.

"Damn. Your right. Maybe you could stay there Matsumoto." said Toushiro. Matsumoto grinned and nodded.

"How about you, taicho?" she asked.

"Im going to stay on the roof." he said.

"WHAT?" cried Karin and Matsumoto at the same time.

"Isshin will not allow me to stay there." he said.

"Don't worry, ill handle my idiot father." said Karin with a smirk.

Then the bell rang in school. Karin sighed and started running for the gate.

"Bye! See you later."

Matsumoto giggled.

"What?" asked Toushiro irritably.

"You should have seen your face." she said then started laughing.

Toushiro glared at her, but when she continued laughing, a tick mark appeared on his head and he said,

"Im your taicho, and I have a right to strip of your badge off and station you somewhere else."

That silenced her.