Act 12: Won't Be Home Again

Clear blue eyes stare at her, a frown pulling on the woman's lips, "I hear that you don't want our help." She looks disappointed in her, her arms crossed over her chest, "Is that true?"

Karin turns away, "I never asked for any of this." her eyes landed on a self portrait of Lord Hitsugaya of when he was younger and she frowns, her brows furrowing as she observed the framed picture.

Rangiku begins to approach her, her lips set into a thin line. "Then why are you still here?" She asks in a firm tone, her eyes observing her. "You are free to leave if you are not content. No one is forcing you to stay."

Karin releases a slow, heavy sigh, closing her eyes before she completely faced the strawberry blonde whose eyes were questioning her. It was almost a look of disapproval. "You're right. I'm not being forced and I don't want to appear ungrateful for everything that this place has given me." She swallows the lump in her throat, "I am not one to take advantage of someone's kindness."

"Of course not." Rangiku laughs a bit, "You are actually very kind but there is this air about you, it's almost dignified and noble, it's kind of difficult to describe..." She gazes at her through the corner of her eye, "Do you mind telling me why you're so hesitant? Why are you so afraid?"

"It may be the fact that I am yet to trust the people in this place." Her voice was hard, and she stands before turning her back to the strawberry blonde, "You're most likely the one that I have opened up to the most, since my days are mainly spent with you attending me." She smiles slightly, "Forgive me if I come across as rude but your Lord won't ever approve someone like me, her Ladyship already doesn't." She frowns, "And I'm sure if I were to open up and give myself completely raw to him, he will not like what he will see."

That caught Rangiku's attention, her brows raised in what appeared to be surprise, "You think Lord Hitsugaya won't approve? Tell me Rin, do you care what he thinks of you?"

She intertwines her fingers, and looks out the window of her chamber only to spot Hitsugaya lounging in the gardens, "It's odd. I know. No matter how many times I've pushed him away he keeps insisting that I tell him what is troubling me. Was he always so pushy?"

Rangiku laughs, but it wasn't like a giggle or as if she heard something pleasant, it was more like a scoff and something else she can't quite put her finger on. "Pushy? He has never insisted on finding something out. When he asks a question, he already knows the answer even before asking the said question. He's very intelligent for his age, but he could care less about people who aren't honest. He despises liars." By now she had become very serious, "There are times when he is very cold. Simply unapproachable. And trust me when I say this, Rin, Lord Hitsugaya is anything but pushy. You've just caught his interest because he can't understand you."

She blinks, "And he never should."

Rangiku frowns at her, "Do you really mean that? Open up to him. You will see that he understands. Tell him that you are afraid."

"Of course I mean it! If I were to say who I truly am... about what I am afraid of... I will be nothing but trouble. It's as though I've been cursed and damned and everything else that causes misfortune."

Rangiku's eyes never leave her figure, they are calculating and questioning. She knows the woman is trying to trust her but there is a part of her that isn't. There is a part of her that simply can't accept her answers. "Who are you, Rin?"

"Do you really not know who I am?" Her pride is being wounded, she could feel herself disappear. Her name is something that shouldn't be forgotten.

Rangiku shakes her head, "If you say you are from Karakura, of course no one will know who you are."

Karin furrows her brows, "Why is that?"

"Because, Rin, Seiretei has no relations with that place. We never have and we never will. Our Kingdoms are very different from one another, it is rare to even mention Karakura." She says, looking thoughtful.

And Karin frowns, of course this would be Karakura's rival country. How could she not have connected it before when she first spoke with Lord Hitsugaya?

"What was your reason for leaving?" The question itself was quiet, cautious even. Rangiku looks at her expectantly, waiting for an answer that might not be what she's looking for. She does not know what to think about the woman standing in front of her.

Karin's voice is quiet, bitter and barely audible but still loud enough to hear. As if she were telling a secret. Like a fog during winter. She could feel herself growing detached and her heart is much too heavy to bear. She subconsciously puts her hands over her wrists and then she exhales a shaky breath, her eyes going dull. "I didn't have a choice."


Karin stands just outside Lord Hitsugaya's study, hesitating and debating whether or not she should knock.

This time, she was the one looking for him.

The door opens before she could knock.

Lady Hinamori's eyes slightly widened, "Rin." She gasps, "What brings you to our chamber in this ungodly hour?"

Karin fidgets, suddenly feeling nervous even though she knows she shouldn't be, "Is Lord Hitsugaya there? There is something-" and before she could finish, he appears behind Lady Hinamori.

"What's the matter, Rin?" He asks, eyebrows furrowed and sounding genuinely concerned for her well being.

Karin averts her gaze, registering the fact that he is shirtless and that she may be disturbing their sleep. She feels herself blush. "I'm sorry to intrude," she begins, looking at anything else but him, "I was just— I came to— I would like to request a private meeting with you, Lord Hitsugaya... If it isn't any trouble..." He's observing her. Looking at her with the same calculating eyes she saw the first time she met with him. She could feel herself growing flustered.

He signals Momo to leave them alone for a while and he closes the door behind him. It looks like he is considering her request though she can't really tell by how his eyes narrowed down on her. If anything he looked angry at the fact that she went to look for him. "What is it that you need?"

"I don't need anything." She takes in a deep breath, "I came to speak with you. I have to tell you something and I don't think you'll find it very pleasant." Her eyes bore into his and she stands her ground despite his intimidating aura.

Toshiro's voice had gone hard and cold, "What could you possibly have to say?"

"I'll be taking my leave." She watches his reaction. He wasn't expecting it and his eyes widened slightly in surprise. It wasn't long until he glared at her again.

"This is quite sudden, Rin."

"I have yet to trust you, Lord Hitsugaya, I simply can't accept your hospitality and I have come to realize the reality that is my life and I assure you don't want to be a part of it. There is a reason why I'm so hesitant." She wants to apologize but she can't bring herself to do it. She is starting to think there is no point to it. "I am from Karakura. The rival of this country. It is best if I go and never come back. It'll be like we never met, you never had any relations with someone from a rival country. You shouldn't start now."

He scowled at her, "Tell me, is Rin Kuro even your real name?"

There is a slight pause before she answers his question, "It's best if you don't know. From this day on, we never met. My name is nonexistent."

He clenches his fist, growing frustrated with her riddles and vague answers. "What does that even mean? Just tell me who you are, you don't have to go to such lengths to-"

"I don't want to cause any trouble." She's smiling a sad smile, her eyes down cast, "I'll be gone by sunrise. And I suggest that you don't come looking for me."

There's an expression on his face that she has never seen on him before, like as if he's asking for an explanation he knows she won't be able to give. "I never should have stayed for so long. This is goodbye, my Lord."

She would've been a fool to ever think this was home.


A/N: Hello my readers! It appears as though I've come back to update this story! I know I've been gone for a good while but I've been busy with school so please forgive me for my absence. I will try my best to update more often and not keep you guys waiting for the continuation of this fic :D

And so a HitsuKarin interaction happened though it may not have been what most of you expected *sweat drops* but their relationship will start off slow and the wait for the actual thing will be worth it I promise! There are still many things that have yet to happen lol. Any who, a review and/or a follow/favorite would be greatly appreciated since that does help know that you guys are interested :)

Thank you for your time!