Here's chapter nine! ENJOY!

Chapter Nine:

The next day, Karin was still agonizing over what Toshiro had said to her. She couldn't focus in class and couldn't stop thinking about it. It was quite annoying for her.

Karin! Snap out of it! This won't do you any good! Karin growled. She had to stop thinking about this.

As she sighed, her phone vibrated against her leg. Karin picked it up and flipped it open, her eyes going hard when she saw a message from the council. She had a mission tonight and she was required to take Toshiro with her. Karin growled again at that but kept reading.

The message was from the head councilmen of the Hunters Association. They had gotten tips and information that one of the vampires on their council, Aizen, had been up to illicit activity and had been spotted near numerous human slaughterings, along with a few vampire murders as well.

Great. She thought and shook her head.

Toshiro sighed softly as he stood outside the school waiting for Karin. It was troublesome to have to do this, especially when he hadn't gotten any sleep. And, he thought grimly, I haven't fed in a while. I'm not at my full strength. He wouldn't be able to do much until he fed, other wise Karin could get seriously hurt while on his watch, and he didn't think he could ever forgive himself if she was.

"Hey." Renji walked up to him. "You aren't looking to good."

"Thanks for saying the obvious." He snapped at him.

Renji shrugged. "Matsumoto has been worried about you. Since you refuse to carry your cell, she's been calling mine non-stop. Everyone in the office is worried about you, even Ikkaku."

Toshiro chuckled. "I find that hard to believe. They just need to do their jobs, that's it."

Renji sighed and shook his head. He opened his mouth to say something but stumbled back and let out a surprised yelp as a small bundle, he could now see it was Yuzu, slammed into him. "Renji!"

He laughed softly and hugged Yuzu back, kissing her forehead. "Hello love." Toshiro was shocked as he stared at the man. For as long as he'd known Renji, he had never seen him show such genuine love or kindness towards anyone but his family. He always used women as toys and means of food, nothing more. But here Toshiro saw him, cradling such a fragile human-Karins younger sister of all people-in his arms as if she were precious.

He looked away, catching sight of Karin as she walked towards them. The wind blew softly and his eyes went wide as he watched her. Karin had stopped and tilted her face up to the wind, it blowing her hair around as it softly brushed against her pale skin, her clothes lightly swishing around her. And once her eyes opened, showing the sparkling black pools that shone as she watched the leaves blow, Toshiro understood.

He was irrevocably in love with Karin Kurosaki, a girl whom he had never been able to get off of his mind even when they were children. In that moment as he watched her start towards him again, he understood Renji's change. To him, now there was nothing more that mattered to him than protecting her at all cost. Karin was his precious gem, and he wouldn't ever let his old ways or his doubts get in the way of being by her side.

He had been staring at her for too long, zoning out, and he didn't realise it until she poked his forehead to get his attention. "What? Do I have something on me?"

Toshiro instantly blushed and looked away, clearing his throat. "N-no...no you don't."

Karin tilted her head, looking a bit confused and then Toshiro felt like he was nearly choking. A light blush had started creeping up her neck and stained her cheeks.

"Oh! Karin! Are you gonna go see Aunt Yoru before you leave on the mission you got?" Yuzu spoke up, turning in Renji's arms to look at her.

Karin sighed, catching his attention. "Yeah. I need to sharpen my weapons so I'll have to borrow some. And I can train a bit before we have to leave. Why? Do you want to come?"

Yuzu's eyes lit up and she nodded excitedly. "YES! I've been wanting to see them but...but I haven't gone since...since G-Ginta is there…." She looked away, fidgeting.

"Its fine. If he tries anything I'll make sure he regrets it." Karin growled.

"Who's Ginta?" Renji spoke up suddenly, looking confused.

"Are you going to tell him Yuzu, or will I?" Toshiro was surprised at the hostility that came from Karin when she mentioned it and Yuzu sensed it too, nodding quietly.

"I'll tell him…" Yuzu looked away and took Renji's hand, leading him a few feet away.

Karin sighed softly, "I don't like that she's in a relationship with a vampire, much less one as old and powerful as Renji. I'd rather her be with a human."

Toshiro felt like his heart had been crushed by her saying that. Deep inside, his ugly realisation came out. Karin would never accept him….nor his love.

Karin felt regret as soon as those words left her mouth, and she guiltily looked at Toshiro. His face was dark and once again emotionless. She felt her heart twinge. It was for the best, and she would keep telling herself that over and over again. Nothing would change her path.

Yuzu came pulling Renji back over and she smiled, nodding. "Okay, lets go. Oh! Wait...shouldn't we go home and change first?"

Karin shook her head. "No. My clothes are over there, but you can go home and change afterwards. That way you wont missing seeing Aunt Yoru."

"Okay! Lets go!"

When they got to the house and inside, Kisuke was already coming out with Yoruichi with smiles on their faces. "Girls!" Kisuke reached for them and pulled them into huge hugs. "I've missed you!"

Karin and Yuzu laughed, pulling away. "We've missed you too."

"What about me?" Yoruichi spoke up and opened her arms, hugging them both. "I've missed you both as well. Though I see you, Karin, more than I see Yuzu." She smiled and patted Yuzu's head.

"THESE TWO ARE YOUR AUNT AND UNCLE!?" Renji and Toshiro's voices roared as their jaws dropped.

"Yes," she rolled their eyes, "they've known us since we were kids. Of course they're like family. How do you know them?"

Yoruichi smirked. "We provide information and tools to both the vampire and hunter councils. If and when they can get ahold of us." She chuckled. "Now! Down to business!" She turned and looked at Karin. "You need to do some training before you go and your clothes are in the back. Go on and change and I'll Tessai and Ururu prepare some snacks for everyone."

"S-so….so Ginta's h-hear….?" Yuzu choked, panicking.

"I won't let him do anything or say anything to you. I'll kill him." Renji growled, stepping up and protectively wrapping his arms around Yuzu.

Karin saw respect flash in both their eyes and she sighed. At least she has a protector…. Karin looked away from them, her shoulders dropping. "I'll go get changed."

As she moved to walk, a cool hand wrapped around her own, stopping her. "Karin…." Toshiro muttered and hopelessness flashed in his eyes before he let go. "Go on, I'll be waiting out here…." With that he turned his back to her.

Nodding solemnly, she turned and went to change.

Hey everyone. I hope i'm not doing awful at this fic. It's a little difficult for me to include so many characters from the anime. So i hope you all think I'm doing okay :) Till next time.

~LonelyAnimeLily