"Just 8 more years, Karin."
Said girl sighed in irritation, "Will you drop it Yu? I'm not even sure why I asked."
Yuzu grinned, searching through a clothing rack at the mall, "You asked because some part of your subconscious and soul knows that you are meant for that boy."
Karin rolled her eyes, "What are you even saying? I'm starting to think that the idea of going to college is making you insane."
The blonde shook her head, obviously more amused than anything else, "No. I've thought so since we were twelve. There's something about you being with Toshiro that is just... right."
"You're crazy."
She shrugged, "Maybe. But regardless, I have a wedding to look forward to."
A black eyebrow shot up at that, "You saying that I won't have a boyfriend when the time comes? Better yet: are you saying that Toush won't have a girlfriend by that time?"
Yuzu stopped searching and smiled back at her, "That's the beautiful thing about you two. Either one of you could have your pick of anybody but both of you stay single. Both of you would notice people lined up around the block for your attention if you looked but you two are too busy paying attention to each other to see."
Karin scoffed, "You really have gone crazy, Yu."
She giggled and started walking towards a different rack, "Ichigo said the party will be smaller this year just so you know."
Karin looked at the ceiling, "Oh thank the lord."
Yuzu laughed, "Doesn't mean there won't be gossip Karin. Be prepared."
She was prepared, maybe a little too prepared. Actually, at eighteen she was so used to it that she almost didn't even notice. She sat on the couch looking around the party, not a word reaching her ears. Had she not seen the furtive glances and the covered mouths she might have actually forgotten.
"Is it weird that I don't care about the gossip anymore?"
She turned her head to the left to see almost troubled teal eyes staring back at her, "You don't care?"
He shook his head, "I think I'm just used to it by this point."
She shrugged, "I have too if it makes you feel any better."
He sighed, "They're not even gossiping about your relationship status this time."
She raised an eyebrow, "Really?"
He nodded, "They're talking about my relationship status actually. Someone asked me on a date recently and I told them no. The majority of the Soul Society has been talking about it like crazy as if I said no to keep this weird plan going."
"Why did you say no?"
"Just can't see myself in a romantic relationship with her."
"That makes sense."
Another sigh, "Yeah. I suppose I should go find my lieutenant before she causes too much trouble. I'll talk to you later."
She nodded and waved a hand at him. It took almost an hour after he had left to realize that his statement insinuated that he agreed to the 10-year plan because he could see himself in a romantic relationship with her. No. Maybe she was reading too far into things. After all, he already told her that he agreed because he didn't think it would happen.
Back again! And to anyone that was curious I have three years of college left before I'm in the real world. Anyway, I hope you liked this!
