"Kariiiiiiin!" Kurosaki Isshin, decked out in flamboyant soccer gear – jersey, high socks, shinguards and all – came striding towards her shocked team.

Looking at the unshaven, tall figure in horrible orange and pink jersey, Karin thought she just might die at that moment.

Preferring to keep her mouth shut lest she say something she would be ashamed of for the rest of her life, she spun on her heel to face Urahara Kisuke, who was nonchalantly fanning himself but stealing glances at Karin's expression out of the corner of his eye.

"Wha… wha… what the hell is he doing here?!" Karin sputtered.

"He's here to play for your soccer team, or course!" Urahara said cheerfully, seemingly oblivious of the fact that Karin had gotten over her shock and had progressed to anger, shooting him looks that would have crumbled the Sougyoku.

"Of course, if you preferred him not to play, you would have to forfeit the championship." Urahara continued with his blasted fanning.

His words were like a bucket of cold water in Karin's face. She nodded grimly and called for a team meeting.

"Oi, Kurosaki, this old perv is your father?" Machi muttered to Karin.

"Who you calling an old perv?!" Isshin snapped at Machi mock angrily.

"Hey hey hey, I'm the perv around here!" Kon interjected.

"SHUT UP and listen!" Karin yelled.

Urahara smiled. They would get along just fine.

-

By the second half, the score was 4-2 to the opposing team. Isshin was turning out to be quite competent, save his fierce but unnecessary protectiveness of Karin. As a result, he had been yelled at, stomped on, and kicked by his daughter, to the extent where the referee thought he would have to go to the hospital.

Urahara, the silent observer, watched Isshin and smirked behind his fan. He recalled the conversation he had overheard that morning…

"Kurosaki," a cold and arrogant voice issued from Hitsugaya's room.

"Yes, 10th Squad shorty?" Isshin bounded into the room, his face wreathed in a smile.

A vein pulsed in Hitsugaya's forehead. He was putting up with this ridiculous man just because he was an ex-captain and commanded that respect of Hitsugaya.

"You're taking over me for the soccer match, right?"

"Indeedy-do-dah," came the childish reply.

Hitsugaya gritted his teeth. He had better get this conversation over and done with, before he summoned Hyourinmaru to squash the childish tendencies out of Kurosaki.

"I have serious doubt in your soccer skills, but since Urahara recommended you, I guess it should be fine. You had better win the match for Karin, or you'll break her heart. Soccer means that much to her."

"Hai, Hitsugaya-taichou!" Isshin gave a mock salute.

Hitsugaya sighed inwardly. What happened to the "10th Squad shorty" he had been called less than 5 minutes ago?

"Oh, and one more thing," he added, as Isshin turned to leave.

"Protect Karin. At any costs."

Isshin's eyes took on a soft look. Perhaps he should think about whipping out his rusty matchmaking skills once again…

-

Before everyone's astonished eyes, the previously disgustingly-childish-and-protective Isshin transformed into a soccer machine. In a span of 10 minutes, he had scored 3 goals and brought Karin's team into the lead.

Karin's confidence was bolstered, and took a serious blow at the same time. One, they could win the championship; and two, how could her father be better than her?

Next goal: Karin's.

Next goal: Isshin's.

And so it went on…

"End of match! 7-5, to team Karin!"

"We won it! We won!" Karin was ecstatic, hugging her team enthusiastically and cheering. Everyone was in high spirits, but in Karin's case, not for long…

-

A/N: One more chapter & epilogue to go, and this fic is finished. I've had fun (sort of?) writing this fic from Hitsugaya's point of view (not really, but you get what I mean, I hope) but my next fic will be darker & more romantic (: And it will include one of my favourite pairings too! Yay :D Thanks all for reading this fic! I really appreciate all the reviews and story adds.

Was anyone surprised by Isshin as the choice of substitute? xD