Here is chapter 21, please enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own bleach

Karin's thoughts

Atsuikaen's thoughts

Hyroinmaru's thoughts

Only One

Chapter 21- Something's missing

As Karin woke up the next day she found herself less aggravated as she heard yelling from down stairs.

Ah, home sweet home thought Karin.

Yes, it was true she missed the fighting between father and son in the house. The sound of the yelling and breaking brought back fond memories of 5 years ago when there was no Soul society or hollows just school and their father. She missed those simple times.

As she made her way down stairs she saw something she couldn't help but smile at. Sprawled in the middle of the floor were the son and father having there daily 'bonding' time. Yuzu then noticed her.

"Karin-chan, how did you sleep?" asked Yuzu.

"Fine I guess" said Karin as she sat at the table next to Rukia, who was letting her fiancé have his 'bonding' time.

"Hey Karin-chan how about after school you and I go to the mall" suggested Yuzu.

"Yuzu, you know I hate shopping" groaned Karin. Then Yuzu pulled out her puppy dog face that worked on any Kurosaki. She the one Karin got her puppy dog face from.

"Ugh fine" Karin grumbled. She hated when Yuzu did the puppy dog face, she was so good at it.

"Great, well then I'll see you after school then" she said cheerfully as she ran out of the door with Isshin leaving right behind her. Karin stared after them then Rukia began to speak.

"Um… Karin, Ichigo and I have people we need to visit. Are you alright staying home alone?" asked Rukia.

"What? Of course, you guys go and have fun" said Karin happily though on the inside she didn't want to be alone, but she wouldn't ruin their time.

"Alright, come on Ichigo, we've got to tell Chad, Orihime, Ishida, Tatsuki,…" she kept saying the name of people Karin didn't know as she walked out of the door closing it loudly.

As Karin looked around the rooms of the empty house she found herself getting bored. It seemed like everyone had something to do except for her.

We could work on the shikai suggested Atsuikaen.

Good idea thought Karin as she ran upstairs to change and then ran out of the door.

Karin was now at the basement of the Urahara shoten and began training.

"Alright let's get this started. Shine, Atsuikaen" yelled Karin as her blade turned crimson red. She looked at the swords ribbons and they gave her an idea. She raised her sword and she channeled her reiatsu to get several more ribbons out of the hilt.

Alright Atsuikaen I want you to use your ribbons to rap those boulders thought Karin as she pointed to the boulders.

Sure said Atsuikaen. The ribbons came to life and rapped around the boulders.

Now, instead of pulling those towards you why don't you just crush them with those steel like ribbons thought Karin and as she thought it, it happened and 8 boulders were crushed into rumble at the same time.

Good idea said Atsuikaen.

Hmm maybe instead of shine, Atsuikaen it should be constrict, Atsuikaen thought Karin to herself.

"I just thought of that idea, no big deal, right Toushirou?" said Karin as she turned around and realized there was no Toushirou behind her like she had expected. It was just her in an empty training zone.

"Wow that was weird" said Karin quietly. And it suddenly felt empty in her chest. Karin wondered what was going on but decided to ignore it and continued with her training.

A Karin got back to her house, Yuzu was there and she was mad.

"Karin, what happened to you? I thought we were going to go to the mall" said Yuzu, irritated. Karin knew that she only got that mad when she had missed a sale at her favorite store: Abercrombie & Fitch.

"I'm sorry Yuzu, I was busy training and I lost track of time. Please forgive me" said Karin as she pulled out her own puppy dog look. It would always be second best but it was still effective.

"Okay, okay, you're forgiven now let's hurry before the sale ends" she said as she pulled Karin by the arm to the mall.

Well their shopping trip lasted longer than Karin would have wanted but they left pretty early. As Karin watched Yuzu cling to her new jacket for dear life she still felt the hole.

What is it? If it's not Yuzu than what is causing the hole in my chest thought Karin confused. Then they suddenly heard a gruesome howl.

"Hollow" muttered Karin as she emerged out of her body, stashing it in an alley way before she ran towards the spiritual pressure, Yuzu hot on her tail. When Karin stopped at the empty soccer field her jaw dropped. There in front of her had to be 20 or 30 hollows, most of them were in the air.

"Holy…" muttered Yuzu, astounded. Karin faced Yuzu.

"Yuzu, get out of here now!" yelled Karin. Yuzu wasn't listening though, she was to busy being in shock at the number of hollows.

Alright Atsuikaen time for the new technique thought Karin.

I'm ready said Atsuikaen. Karin raised her sword.

"Constrict, Atsuikaen" Karin yelled as the blade turned crimson red and the white ribbons began capturing hollows. The ribbons got all of them except for the two Karin did not notice.

As the hollows disintegrated Karin was practically out of reiatsu from disintegrating 23 hollows at once. She then heard Yuzu's cry for help and looked over to her and saw the two hollows she missed advancing towards her.

"Yuzu!" shouted Karin as she dropped her sword and ran over to her sister. She stood blocking the way between the two species. She closed her eyes and without a seconds hesitation she shouted.

"Toushirou!"

"Karin!" whispered Toushirou harshly.

Wow I think you know her a little too well because that was just creepy said Hyorinmaru.

"What's going on? I know something's wrong" said Toushirou.

Well she is about to be attacked by two hollows said Hyorinmaru seriously.

"You know what to do" said Toushirou sternly.

Right

Karin then heard two loud thuds. As she opened her eyes she was surprised to see that the hollows that were once attacking her were now frozen solid. But then smiled understandingly and looked up to the sky, clutching the necklace's stone.

"Thank you Toushirou" she said and oddly the hole in her chest filled. Now she was really confused but happy to. Finally out of nowhere came Rukia and Ichigo in shinigami robes.

"What took you guys?" asked Karin as she picked up her sword that she had dropped.

"We were on the other side of town when we felt it. So what did we miss?" he asked curiously while looking the disappearing frozen hollow. Karin followed his gaze and shrugged.

"Not much"

Yuzu heard a knock on her door.

"Come in" she said as she continued painting her nails. She was surprised to see Karin come in. she looked very uncomfortable.

"Karin-chan, what's wrong?" asked Yuzu, concerned.

"Well Yuzu can I ask you something… personal?" asked Karin. Yuzu nodded.

"Well what does it mean when you're really close to a guy, like so close that whenever you're in danger it's his name you call, and when you're away from him you feel like there's something missing, and that even though he's not around you still find yourself saying his name by accident, that you're happy to be protected by him and him alone?" explained Karin. Yuzu shook her head in disbelief and then looked at her sister straight into the eyes.

"Karin you're in love with him" answered Yuzu. Karin's eyes widened in fear. She got up and ran.

"No, no, this can't be happening" muttered as she ran into her room.

Karin-sama, before you have a nervous breakdown can you please tell me what's going on. Tornados are forming here in my world said Atsuikaen.

Oh Atsuikaen I can't believe this is happening thought Karin.

What's happening?! yelled Atsuikaen.

I've fallen in love with Toushirou thought Karin, angrily.

And this is bad because… said Atsuikaen.

Because love ruins everything cried Karin.

Don't you think you're overreacting a bit, Karin-sama said Atsuikaen.

No! Not at all… I can't tell him… I can't ruin our relationship… he's my best friend thought Karin as a single tear rolled down her cheek. She climbed into her bed and tried hard to forget her feelings as she focused on sleep.

Fine Karin-sama, I trust your judgment. I just hope you know what you're doing

That was the 21st chapter, stay tuned and please review.