Thanks guys for not getting angry at the short chapter. I'm glad you agreed with me. This one's longer, so don't worry :)
Karin noticed Hitsugaya's somber mood and puffy, baggy eyes the moment she woke up, but with the limited amount of time she had to probe him and his naturally quiet personality, she gleaned next to nothing about their source. Yumichka whipped up a breakfast of rice and pickles and they gathered around the table to discuss a battle plan.
"So here's the deal," Ikkaku began. "The…ahem…wonder bubbles deal in all kinds of forgeries, from to rho to official documents, to art, to ancient texts. The authorities have been on their tail so they're secretive and mobile, but we finally managed to track 'em here, one step ahead of those brainless samurai. They've taken over this town as their home base, but they go out on 'business trips' to various towns and provinces so they're rarely all in the same place at the same time. Part of the reason it took us so damn long. That scumbag that stiffed Kira was just a lacky. There's about ten of 'em that flit in and out of here, and they're all miraculously here at the moment according to Zaraki and Matsumoto's info, so it's finally time to strike. Hit 'em at the source so no stragglers get left behind, know what I mean? They like to hang out at this one pub, so we thought we'd ambush 'em on their way home. Catch 'em with their pants down when they're all too drunk and wild to see straight. Matsumoto here's gonna infiltrate first as our Trojan horse. One of the guys has made a move on her more than once, so it shouldn't be too rough for her to get in their good graces and get 'em to let her join 'em on their walk home. Karin, as long as you're here, you should go with her. It'll look less suspicious if two women go in together, and if we can get two inside their circle, better for us. Yumichka and I'll go to the pub as patrons. Watch the girls' backs. If anything goes sour, we'll get the heck out of there and we call it off and regroup. If all goes well, we'll follow 'em out and ambush 'em just off 3rd street, where you lot'll be lying in wait. You'll be in three teams, Zaraki and Yachiru, Kira and the runt (Hanataro groaned), and Renji and Hitsugaya. Two teams'll wait across from each other and the third'll be a bit ahead. Yumichka and I'll take up the rear so we can trap 'em in a circle. Once we take 'em out, we loot the place for any cash that can actually be spent and hightail it out of this god forsaken mountain town. There ain't even a bounty on these useless scumbags so don't even think about trading 'em in for one. Everybody got it?" There was a collective grunt of affirmation and everyone scattered to begin preparations.
ooooooooooooooooooo
"Here, put this on," Matsumoto directed, tossing Karin a clump of silk. "You won't catch yourself a man in an old faded yukata." Matsumoto had chased all the men (and Yachiru) out of the back room so that she and Karin could prepare for the evening. The two sat on the unfinished wooden floor as Matsumoto rummaged through a bulging sack and extracted makeup and hair combs. The bundle she had thrown at Karin turned out to be a crystal blue kimono decorated with lush branches of brilliant jade green leaves and pale pink sakura pedals that snaked their way across the fluid surface like a climbing vine. Delicate silver thread traced the edges of each leaf and flower, giving them shadow and depth and making everything feel alive, as if it was really covered with blossoming sakura branches wet with fresh morning dew. Vibrant butterflies in every color of the rainbow fluttered among the blossoms, their wings so intricately embroidered that each slight movement of fabric gave the appearance of flapping wings. Karin was convinced they would simply fly away when she wasn't looking. It was a masterpiece.
"There is no way I'm wearing this!" Karin stated soundly. "I won't be able to move in it. And I really don't want to get blood on something like this. It looks insanely expensive. And besides, there is absolutely no way anything that belongs to you is going to fit me. You're like a whole head taller than me!" Matsumoto gave her a warm smile.
"That kimono is from my younger days. I was a bit shorter back then. A few tricks with the obi and you won't know the difference. Besides, you'll need the bulk of the extra fabric to hide your swords. You can't display them until the ambush starts or you'll blow our cover."
"Fair point," Karin grumbled. "But I don't have the slightest idea how to wear this thing." Matsumoto giggled as she helped Karin into her kimono. A furious battle then ensued over the makeup, but Karin lost and squeezed her eyes shut against the onslaught of powder and rouge.
"You haven't had much of a feminine influence have you?" Matsumoto observed as she brushed Karin's hackneyed hair.
"You can tell?" Karin replied sarcastically. "Yeah, I guess not. My mom died when I was really little and my dad and brother didn't know what to do with a baby girl, so they just raised me as a boy since it was the easiest solution. This is the first time I've ever worn makeup and a fancy kimono. It feels weird." Matsumoto giggled.
"But you can never forget that you are a girl," she advised.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Karin blurted out, offended. "I'm not afraid of men!" Matsumoto shook her head.
"That's not what I mean. You don't seem the type to let men take advantage of you. I mean that being a woman can be an asset. Take tonight for example. The men are depending on us. We're the only ones who can pull this off and the job will be significantly easier if we're successful. But also," she paused, thinking back to her conversation with Hitsugaya the night before. "Never hesitate to take what you want. Sometimes, men can be forceful, or shy, or just plain idiots, but if there's something, or someone, that you want, don't be afraid to run after it with all your heart. That way, you won't have any regrets."
"Why are you telling me this?" Karin asked, confused by the tender look on the face of this woman she barely knew. It was a little off-putting. Matsumoto smiled gently.
"Because I admire you," she replied. "Because you're free to ride the wind. You seem loved by those around you and that's something not everyone has the luxury of having. And also…well…I guess you're kind of like the little sister I never had."
"But you're free too!" Karin protested. "The elevens don't seem like a particularly constricting group."
"It's true," Matsumoto agreed. "These past two years I've spent with them have been wonderful. They take care of their own and depend on each other. But it's not the same as what you've got. When you have a past like mine, you learn to appreciate things like love and friendship a whole lot more. There, all done!" she said with a flourish, placing a flower pin in Karin's hair. "What do you think?" Karin turned to face the mirror and it took her a moment to realize that the person looking back was herself. She had been transformed from a wild, rogue swordsman into a true beauty. The kimono swished and flowed like water over rocks, covering her feet and making her hands look small and dainty, words she would never have even considered using to describe them. Her long neck protruded elegantly from the embroidered collar and looked much more sensual that Karin had ever realized it could be. Matsumoto had tucked her ragged, crooked hair into a formal style, hiding the frayed edges into a firm bun decorated with various ornaments that sparkled against her raven locks. The makeup highlighted her obsidian eyes and brought out her lips and cheeks in a way Karin had only ever seen in paintings. She looked spectacular, as detailed as a china doll and as enchanting as the empress herself. Karin would have hated it if she hadn't been so impressed at Matsumoto's skill in being able to bring about such a transformation.
"How did you do that?" Karin gasped, at a loss for words. "I don't even recognize myself." Matsumoto smiled and brushed a stray hair from Karin's shoulder.
"I used to be a geisha," she replied. "For as long as I can remember, I have been trained in the art of beauty. It was only after I left Gion that I learned how to use a sword, and it wasn't until I met the elevens that I was able to travel like this. Why do you think I even own something like this kimono? It doesn't exactly match the décor." Karin snickered.
"Why'd you stop being a geisha?" she asked, immensely curious about this woman's fascinating story. Matsumoto chose her words carefully, knowing that she was treading on dangerous ground if she wanted to keep Hitsugaya's secrets safe.
"Being a geisha is hard," she said at last. "It's not glamorous or beautiful. Some of the men are kind, but others are not, and there's very little protection when things go wrong. It's not easy to break out though, because there's often nowhere to run, or there are people who will pursue you to the ends of the earth. I was saved by the quick wits and incredible strength of a young boy I knew…but this is a story for another time," she finished rapidly, realizing she shouldn't go any further. "I'm sure they're waiting for us out there." Karin was reluctant to end the conversation, but she knew how important this attack was to everyone, so she agreed. She waited while Matsumoto got dressed, unwilling to leave the room alone. She was pretty sure she could guess how the men would react to her appearance, having spent more than her fair share of time among the worst of the breed due to her love of seedy bars, and she wasn't looking forward to it. She hoped that Matsumoto, who was a natural beauty without all the decoration, would take some of the heat off of her.
"Are you ready?" Matsumoto asked, now fully decked out in a pale yellow kimono lined with gold that shined like the sun. Karin took a deep breath and nodded.
"Here she is!" Matsumoto announced proudly, opening the door to reveal the new Karin. Karin cringed slightly. "What do you think?"
"Who's that?" Renji asked, clueless. "Wasn't it just you and Karin in there?"
"It's me you moron!" Karin spat, clearly annoyed. She didn't look that different. Ok, well maybe she did, but he didn't have to point it out so bluntly.
"Well done Matsumoto," Ikkaku marveled, studying Karin like a piece of artwork. "You would never guess that there was a lethal weapon under all that silk."
"I guess I can take that as a complement," Karin grumbled, wondering not for the first time how she got dragged into this.
"Oh, Ojosama!" Hanataro gushed, hands clasped together in admiration and tears in his eyes. "You look absolutely stunning!" Oh if only your father could see you now, how proud he'd be!"
"I'm sure," Karin replied, rolling her eyes.
"How can there be someone in this house more gorgeous than me?" Yumichka whined. "I won't allow it! She must leave!" he demanded, but no one really paid any attention.
"You look…nice," Hitsugaya mumbled, averting his eyes. Karin felt her face become inexplicably warm at his words.
"Thanks," she replied awkwardly, hoping that the mountain of rouge Matsumoto had subjected her to was hiding any blush she may have.
"Is everybody ready?" Zaraki asked the room, entirely oblivious to Karin's change in appearance. "Let's go kill stuff!"
So, I think this just adds to the complicated backstory, but it will get told in full at some point. Just not right now… (evil grin) :P