AN: This next scene contains a pretty common setting within HitsuKarin fanfiction. That is, the Karin-Takes-Tōshirō-To-The-Amusement-Park scene. It's... not that much of a serious chapter, but I needed a break from the soul searching, emotion heavy writing. I wish I knew which particular stories got me thinking about this scene, and give their respective authors credit, but I don't. So instead, I'll do this:
This chapter goes out to all the amazing writers before me, who've done an amazing job of bringing Hitsugaya Tōshirō and Kurosaki Karin together.
Also, a huge thank you to all my reviewers. Thank you for all your support this past two months.
Bleach doesn't belong to me. If it did, Yachiru would've formed some kind of alliance with Nel. Just sayin'. Imagine the two of them tagging after Ichigo. He'd be annoyed senseless. It'd be amazing.
Also: The very first "section" may not make sense, because I've apparently been informed that the ridiculously annoying youtube video that -too many- of my friends have sent my way, apparently isn't all that known at all. Google "The Internet if Made of Cats". I'm so sick of it... lets not end that sentence, ok?
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[T]he internet, Hitsugaya Tōshirō learned, was made of cats. At least according to the informational slide show that Karin had showed him featuring several furry creatures. He understood the language in the video well enough, although the accent was strange to him.
It only furthered his belief that cats – as with all things furry and supposedly cute - were evil, evil creatures.
As to why Karin was silently shaking, her lips pressed into a thin line… Tōshirō could only assume it was because his question about the practicality of bonsai kittens had been stupid.
He scowled. When she went to sleep, he was going to do more research. He hated it when he appeared ignorant.
And because he really, really wanted to see if he could shove Shihōin Yoruichi in a jar. Ah, dreams.
[C]
[T]his time, the movie was far more entertaining. With the help of Karin, they had watched several movie trailers, and even read up on a couple of movie reviews. They finally settled on an action drama set in feudal Japan. The acting was excellent, the swordplay (mostly) exciting, and special effects far too realistic. True, the flimsy plastic glasses looked more than a little odd, and certainly didn't appear to be of the caliber of the 12th division's gadgets. But he about tried to shunpo out of his seat, when the army of warriors came charging straight out of the screen and towards him with katanas brandished, as soon as the movie started.
Karin was the only one who noticed. But she laughed so hard that several people in the audience had to tell her to calm down.
"It's 3D, you idiot," she finally managed to whisper. "I can't believe you Shinigami are so technologically stupid."
He got his revenge later when, during a particularly amorous scene between the protagonist and his childhood love, Tōshirō lied and got Karin to open her eyes right as things were getting particularly frisky. Her eyes widened, she made an unattractive choking noise and leaned over, attempting to cover her eyes and ears with her shirt.
Personally, Tōshirō didn't blame her, because watching two people get intimate, even with clothes on, was in the very least rude. But he wasn't about to be defeated by something as embarrassing as public displays of affection. So he kept his eyes fixated on a random spot in front of him, and hoped it looked as though he was watching the scene stoically, as Karin muttered over and over about needing a shower.
They had something called pizza afterwards. It was the first time he ever had cooked pineapples, let alone cooked pineapples complemented with meat and topped over cheese, tomato sauce and bread. It was curiously good, even if the combination reminded him of Inoue Orihime's concoctions. Perhaps he would give her food another chance.
It was over pizza that Kurosaki-taichō announced that they would be heading to the fair. Karin had explained what it was yesterday, and Tōshirō had his misgivings. The part about crowds and being outdoors under the sun did not appeal to him. Neither was the notion that they would be going as a large group. Tōshirō wasn't sure if Karin noticed, but last week, people had eyed them as though they were a family unit, with Matsumoto as the mother, and him as one of the many children. He sincerely hoped that Matsumoto never realized this misconception. Surely, she would revel in the roll of "mommy", if only because she thought it was cute to annoy him.[
But spending time with Kurosaki-taichō was fun. The man had a hilarious sense of humor, and being perceptive of those around him, always seemed to set just the right mood to put everyone at ease. Plus the man was able to make Karin smile. Although she smiled more easily than he himself did, Tōshirō was aware that Kurosaki Karin didn't smile quite as often.
Even though he couldn't hear Hyōrinmaru right that moment, Tōshirō knew his zanpakutō was gloating at how the girl got under his skin.
"Coming?" Karin was peering at him from across the table. Tōshirō lifted his eyes up to look, past the girl. Isshin, Yuzu and Matsumoto were all standing by the front door, caught up in their own conversation.
"Yeah," he said. He pushed himself out of the booth, and paused to dust off any remaining crumbs. "Do we really have to go to the fair?"
She grinned in response. "Totally. Though I need your help."
"Help?" He asked, suddenly hesitant. There was something in the way she was eyeing him that made him uneasy.
"Uh huh. Help," she said. "You always carry Soul Candy with you, right?"
He nodded, slowly, apprehensive.
"Good! Then I can finally get back at that smug little bastard."
It's not too late to escape, he thought to himself. It's only Karin here. I can take the back exit…
Except he knew for a fact that the girl could use kidō as a human, and he didn't quite want to risk her trying something drastic. Or experimental. And what kind of taichō would he be, if he fled from a novice Shinigami?
"You owe me," he muttered darkly, looking at her in annoyance.
"I'll forever owe you," she said cheerfully enough, seemingly dismissing him. But as they headed towards their waiting party, she suddenly added, softly, "And really, I do appreciate it. You being here, putting up with this craziness, even though it's totally not you. I'm not asking you to change. I think I'll miss it, if you stop frowning." She laughed when he proceeded to frown harder. "You're perfect the way you are. And as such, I owe you for every time you do something nice for me, like this, even though it's not something you entirely enjoy."
"It has its moments," he said.
She was still smiling. "Good," she said. "Cause with your help, today has the potential to go down in history."
"I can trust you, right?" He asked on impulse.
Karin had her head tilted to one side, gray eyes scrutinizing him. "Depends. I think you can. Do you think you can?"
He shrugged. "Hopefully."
How often did Kurosaki Karin smile so… bright and genuinely for another human being? He didn't know the answer to that question, but he was glad that he was the recipient of those smiles.
[C]
"[P]lease, please, please?" Karin was begging, but because she had known from the start that begging would be necessary, her actions didn't quite faze her. "I don't do the puppy-dog eyes or pouty lip stuff, but just pretend I'm doing all that, and I look really pathetic, and you can't help but give in."
She would never tell him that when he had that slight frown on his face, he looked quite dignified and much older than the 11 or 12 he normally looked. After all, while he was quite a sight when he was being brooding and serious, Hitsugaya Tōshirō was absolutely breathtaking in those brief moments where he allowed himself to smile. His eyes would light up, his forehead smooth out, his entire body seemed more… relaxed. And he looked younger, a carefree, 12 year old boy marveling at something truly amazing. Karin felt selfish, because somehow she knew that those smiles were rare, and yet she'd received several in the past week since meeting the boy.
Has it really only been a week? She thought to herself. She counted the days in her head. I guess it has, she realized. It was really more of 12 days, from last Wednesday when he'd picked up her ball until now, but the first time they'd really interacted was the Saturday of the soccer match, a week and a day ago.
And I've learned so much about him in that short period of time. It boggled Karin's mind, but what could she do besides accept these things that were out of her control?
He was watching her with hooded emerald eyes. She wondered if he knew that the right corner of his lip was twitched up ever so slightly, and she knew that he was fighting the urge to smile.
Whatever it is, that makes you feel it so necessary to detach from your emotions… There was still so much she had to learn about the boy. She was done questioning why she felt so compelled to understand him. Hadn't the events of this week spelled it out? There was nothing more to be done than make the most out of the situation.
"Really, Tōshirō," she tried again. "Here. You try, then, if you don't believe me. That bastard's a lying, cheating piece of…" She didn't continue, not trusting herself to not burst into a tirade of profanities unbefitting a girl of her age. She thrust a wad of bills into his hand. "Go on!" She insisted. "I swear, I'm not lying. I'll even wear a dress for a day, if you can do beat this damn game without help."
He didn't say anything, but the look he was giving her clearly let her know he thought she was an idiot.
Silly boy.
He handed the money with the vendor, and received three soccer balls in exchange. She watched as he set the first one down on the designated line. His eyes were narrowed at the target at the far end, his right hand flexing ever-so-slightly. Karin experienced a sudden moment of panic, when she remembered how he was able to incorporate reiatsu into objects the way she did, except she'd never tried that particular technique before. What if he did that, and proved her wrong. Would that count as her winning, or him? After all, normal people couldn't do it, cause they didn't have reiatsu. Didn't that mean she was technically right? And that he cheated, cause he used his spiritual powers?
She was so lost in thought she barely noticed when he kicked the ball. Her head snapped up, as she belatedly registered the sound of his shoe hitting leather. With bated breath, she watched the black and white object fly towards the target – a single goal post guarded by a wooden cutout goal keeper. So far, the ball appeared to be flying straight toward the corner of the goalpost, away from the large goalie that was set in front of the net. But then, at the last minute, like every damn time Karin had stepped up to this particular stall, the ball suddenly curved, and slammed straight into the goal keeper's form. With a dull thud, the ball rebounded, and rolled, half heartedly before stopping in the middle of the fake turf.
The boy paused, and stared at the goal, the store keeper, and Karin. He positioned the second ball, and kicked. The same thing happened. With the third ball, he didn't even bother putting effort into it.
Tōshirō's lips were pressed firmly together, his eyebrows furrowed, and when he turned to meet her gaze, Karin knew he was going to do it.
It took all of her self control not to burst out into cheers right there and then. After all, they wanted to avoid arousing the suspicions of that cheating jerk of a games vendor.
It wasn't even the ridiculously good prizes that attracted Karin to the stall, although goodness knew, there were some really nice prizes out there, including the only cash prize at the fair, which only furthered Karin's suspicions that the guy had rigged the stall, if he was confident enough to dangle money as reward. But Karin was simply mad at the damn game because it insulted her skills as a soccer player. She was good at soccer, damn it. And the first time she went up to that stall, so convinced she could win, only to be humiliated… she could still remember the mocking laughter of the kids who were watching, and the smirk on the stall vendor's face.
"I'm paying for my friend's attempt," she heard Tōshirō say.
"Who, her? She's not going to do any better, buddy. I've seen her here several times. She always misses. Bad temper, too."
If she was her brother, Karin was pretty sure she'd have launched herself at the smug bastard and wiped the smirk on his face off with a well-aimed punch. Instead, she held her tongue, and walked up to Tōshirō's side stiffly.
He caught her eye, and pulled out the tube of Soul Candy.
She smiled faintly as he left his body.
"Just win," he said, safely hidden from view and hearing in his Shinigami outfit. "And if he still pisses you off later…"
His roundabout offer for revenge surprised and warmed Karin. She nodded.
The soccer ball was placed on the line. Eying the goal at the end of the long and narrow turf, Karin waited until Tōshirō was positioned. She had this whole damn thing planned out, ever since she heard the possibility of going to the fair two days ago. This plan would work!
She took a deep breath, and let the soccer ball fly.
At first, she thought it would have been ok getting Tōshirō to simply knock over the infernal wooden goal keeper so her ball could get in. Then, however, she realized the man would just accuse her of breaking his equipment and throw some kind of fit.
So she'd settled for this more convoluted plan. She didn't worry, however. Her partner in crime was none other than the Shinigami Taichō Hitsugaya Tōshirō, and she knew he would get the job done. He was too good to screw up.
Sure enough, in a movement Karin's eyes could barely follow, the soccer ball she kicked was whisked up by Tōshirō's waiting arms, and deposited behind the goalkeeper with the skilled use of shunpo.
"Yes!" She cried in delight, as she ball appeared to hit the net and sink down onto the floor.
She didn't expect how damn excited she would feel. She wanted to jump up and down. She nearly grabbed Tōshirō's gigai and hugged it. Nearly.
Beside her, the man growled. "The hell?"
Karin couldn't keep the smile off her face. But she refused to address the man. She didn't want to give anything away.
Tōshirō was suddenly by her side. "The balls have some kind of metal in there. The goalkeeper has a strong magnet attached to the back of it, and I can't figure a way to disable it."
Karin nodded, and shared a brief look with the boy. She sent the next two balls flying. With the Shinigami's assistance, it easily bypassed the mechanism and landed in the net again.
"Fine!" The exasperated man cried. "Pick your prize!"
Karin turned to Tōshirō's gigai, and the boy standing next to it. "So, what do you want? Or shall we do this again?"
He shrugged. "You said Yuzu wanted a couple of things here, right?"
Karin didn't bother to point out that Yuzu would adore anything fluffy and soft. Instead she nodded. "Yeah, we can get the biggest couple of toys for Yuzu, and make Otou-san carry them. But really, if anything, I want that."
She pointed her hand at the large sign, proclaiming that anyone who could score not 3, not 5, but 10 straight goals, would win ¥10000.
He raised an eyebrow. "They give money away at these places?"
"Only him," Karin said in a low voice. "Cause he knows there's no way in hell anyone could do it. I've watched people try. They miraculously get the first couple in, he pretends to cower at their talent, then when they fork the money out for the 10 goal attempt, he screws them over after the first couple of kicks. Sometimes he does it so well that they fork out more money to try again, cause they're so convinced that the 2nd time around, they can make the last two balls or so they missed."
Then Karin shrugged. "But mostly, I just wanted to win to spite that guy. He's insulted me from day one, cause according to him, girls can't play soccer. Especially little girls. Besides, he's cheated me out of my money how many times now?"
He sighed. "You're getting so worked up." he said in a mock exasperated tone. "Fine, fine. We'll try for ten. Pick your toy, he's getting irritated." Karin loved how his eyes smiled, when the rest of him wasn't. She wondered if he knew she was reading right through his act.
"Yes sir, Hitsugaya-taichō," she said with a smirk.
"Hey," she said as she turned to face the man. "I'll take that one," she said, pointing to a largest brown bear on display.
The man handed it over without much grace.
"Ok. Well, now that I'm apparently not missing anymore, let's try this again." There was an over sized yellow cat that was taller than Karin. She knew Yuzu would adore it. Two ridiculous stuffed animals seemed to be reasonable items to make her father carry.
"You owe me," Tōshirō muttered.
"Always," she said cheerfully.
The man was not happy when he had to hand over the cat, too.
He was downright furious when he had to hand over the cash prize – which Karin made a point of counting, to ensure the man didn't try to scam her.
And Tōshirō… He had been a great spot, essentially couriering the soccer balls for her. She'd been surprised he'd not made further snarky comments, if only because it'd have been expected behavior from him. But with each successful goal, the man in charge of the booth had only become more rude, and when the barely concealed sneers over "cheating brat-faced elementary kids" started, Karin wasn't quite sure if she or Tōshirōwas the one who wanted to kick the guy's ass more.
Until the issue of carrying the prizes came up; Then, Karin wasn't sure if the boy would have attempted to yell at her, too. Because of course it was undignified to be seen with a giant yellow cat being precariously perched over his shoulders, as the thing was far too big for him to carry in his arms and still see ahead of him. At least he couldn't fault Karin entirely. After all, the boy genius should've figured out that toys in the real world didn't carry themselves when he offered to help her win the second toy.
Between Karin, Tōshirō's gikongan-occupied gigai, and Tōshirō in his Shinigami form, they managed to lug the two toys over to Kurosaki Isshin, who was gaping open mouthed at the sight of the two gigantic stuffed toys bobbing about above the crowd. At least Rangiku wasn't present. Karin knew the woman would have teased her taichō mercilessly, and after all the boy's help, she didn't think he deserved it. As it was, she came to defend Tōshirō's pride before her father could say anything more than "Karin-chan~".
"Don't. Say. Anything." She threatened. "Just watch these damn things for Yuzu."
"But Karin-chan! How am I supposed to carry them?" The man whined.
She fixed him with a glare that was Tōshirō worthy. "Easier than me," she said. "You're taller. Ask Rangiku-san to help you carry one. Actually, no. Give the brown bear to Rangiku-san." She looked briefly at Tōshirō for confirmation. "I think she'll like it."
While her father was struggling to find a response to that, she grabbed Tōshirō – both of them, really – and dragged them off into the crowd of people.
"I know, I know," she said as he climbed back into the gigai. "I owe you for helping me with that bastard. But I told you he was cheating! I told you!"
She was becoming good at reading his subtle body gestures, the slight incline of his head, the raised eyebrow, the one shouldered shrugs. Just as well, because the boy really disliked talking, unless absolutely necessary.
"What's wrong with you and Rangiku-san?" Karin asked.
When he didn't answer, she continued. "I think she'll like the bear, at least. She seems the type."
"I suppose," he said.
"Was this about Thursday?" She asked. "I'm sorry I upset you," she said.
She knew he'd read between the lines.
After all, Karin was well aware that Tōshirō had been the one to blame for the drama that ensued. Still, the boy struggled with apologies. He hated when he messed up. He reminded Karin of her in that sense. As such, Karin was fine with pretending the incident was her fault, to maintain the appearance that he was in control. They both knew better, but Karin did not doubt that Tōshirō appreciated the gesture.
From what she had overheard and pieced together from Yoruichi, Karin also knew that things were shaky at best between him and the other Shinigami, Matsumoto in particular. There was no other reason why he would have agreed to join the kendo competition, except to compensate for his behavior in such round about ways.
Well… maybe not, Karin mused. Tōshirō probably would have done it anyway, because under all his grouchiness, he cared too much about people to remain a completely heartless bastard. But he would never admit it, and Karin would never force him to.
"You've not told her about us, have you?" She asked quietly.
"You know I haven't," came his reply.
"Well…" and Karin didn't really want to say this, but somehow she felt she ought to. "Maybe you should. If you think she can keep the secret. She's your fukutaichō, but more importantly, I believe she views herself as your friend. If you entrusted her with information about us, perhaps it'll give her perspective. At the very least, it'll remind her of the relationship between you two."
"She's my subordinate-" he started.
"-And your friend," Karin finished for him. "I've seen the awkward moments between you two. I know."
When he sighed, she reached over and squeezed his shoulder.
"Come on," she said. "Don't worry about it quite yet. There's still tons to do. And snacks to eat. This one stall always carries sweets. Do you like amanattō?" From how he immediately whipped his head around to look at her, Karin was able to confirm Rangiku's claim that the boy loved the treat. "We can go get some, and check out some of the other games and rides. You've got to at least get on the pirate ship before we leave. It's a classic. And if we have time, maybe we can go back and bother that bastard games vendor more."
The promise of amanattō must have mollified him, somewhat, because he did nothing more than nod and say, "Ok," without any objections to her suggestions.
The way to a boy's heart definitely was through his stomach.
[C]
[I]t was late, the sun having set hours ago, and the blessed silence of night time had finally descended upon Karakura town. The stars were out, and made Tōshirō wonder about the nightscape Karin described as her inner world. Was it as beautiful as the night skies here in the world of the living? Somehow, he had a feeling that whatever beauty he saw now, was pale in comparison to that inside her soul.
A faint sound caught his attention, and Tōshirō stiffened. He knew she was there before she even climbed out the window.
"Taichō!" Matsumoto called out cheerfully, skipping over the tiled rooftop to sit by him. "What are you doing?"
It was obvious what he was doing: sitting on the roof top watching the stars. He didn't deign to respond.
"Eh, why are you sitting out here? Shouldn't you be in there with Karin-chan?"
From the tone of voice she was using, he knew she was going to start gushing. He sighed.
Against his better judgment, he had taken Kurosaki Karin's advice to heart, and told Matsumoto everything after dinner. Well, not everything, but an abbreviated version that stuck to the bare facts. Still, she wouldn't be Matsumoto Rangiku if she didn't manage to take his four sentence summary of the situation and spin it into a sordid affair. At least now the woman was no longer sneaking around and shooting him furtive looks.
Was he some kind of masochist, that he enjoyed her outrageous nature, and enjoyed being subjected to her ludicrous ideas?
"Matsumoto, what happens between me and Kurosaki remains private."
Perhaps he wasn't stern enough, because she proceeded with a, "But Taichō! I just knew it! When I caught you stalking her-"
"I'm serious!" He said sharply. Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair. "Save whatever sentimental notion you might have. Neither of us, and I mean neither of us, wanted this. It is not cute, and this is not something you'll discuss at the next Women's Association meeting. I know you can be serious, Matsumoto. I need you to be, this time."
"Taichō…" The surprise was evident in her voice. "I can't believe you'd think I'll gossip about you!" She protested.
Tōshirō knew she was merely trying to find a bit of that teasing edge, to ease the awkwardness of the moment.
"There are rules… regarding relationships. You know them as well as I do…" his voice softened for a moment, and he snuck a side-long glance at the woman beside him. His voice was low when he muttered, "I had hoped… We would be… friends enough… It's not like we love each other. It's just… it's going to happen. And I had thought that you, at least, would understand the complications in… loving someone forbidden."
He could see the slight stiffening in her shoulders, the dark look in her eyes.
"Yeah," she said, her voice faraway. Tōshirō knew precisely who she was thinking of. "I do."
Matsumoto settled down on the roof top next to him.
"Do you want to love her?" She enquired.
He closed his eyes, took in a deep breath of the cold night air, and stared up at the stars.
"Who knows?"
His vice-captain was unusually quiet for a long while after, as she sat there with him, staring up at the stars.
"I won't tell," she finally said, quietly. "Kurosaki-taichō's already cautioned me… we had a long talk… about… him. But seeing you like this…" she paused, as though searching for the proper words. "Karin-chan's become something important in your life, now. I can understand that. She's good for you. It explains everything I've been noticing. Why you got so upset, when she was attacked… I won't tell, Hitsugaya-Taichō. You have my word. I can respect your privacy."
She got up. "Good night, Taichō."
She vanished before he could say good bye. Or ask why Kurosaki Ichigo's mod soul was bound with duct tape and tucked into the sash of her uniform.
[C]
AN: *Cringes* I'm getting worse and worse about replying to reviews, aren't I? I'm terribly sorry. I'll be getting to them tomorrow, after I get some sleep. I tried to get this chapter out on time, at least.
And for more bad news: There won't be an update next week. If it hasn't already become apparent, I've been terribly pressed for time since school started. Taking a week off gives me more time to compose the proper replies you guys deserve, and also gives me a chance to check out all those fanfictions you guys have been kind enough to point my way. Plus, I've got the big scene where Karin learns her Zanpakutō's name to write.
But more importantly (I think?), it's my birthday this weekend.
So look out for the next update of Catalyst around Feb 16th. And Happy Valentines Day, because I won't update before then.
Love~