Chapter 29:
"Toshiro-!"
"Grandmother, no, I will not go."
"You have to; it's already arranged for you."
"No." Toshiro looked back his grandmother sternly. He was getting into something that he truly did not want to. A blind date was not something he needed right now.
What great timing, can it get any better?
"It is just a blind date, you are not going to have to marry her. Please, just meet up with her. Himori needs a mother."
"Grandmother…" Toshiro kept his voice even and tried to be calm as he can. As he kept resisting, his grandmother got antsy and more persistent in making the blind date a go.
As she realized that he wouldn't listen to her suggestion, she furiously turned around and ran out of the room. "Toshiro you will go tomorrow whether you like it or not!" It would not matter she was going to win. She knew that. Toshiro knew that. Matsumoto knew that. The whole world knew that. It was a well known truth.
"What?" he slapped his forehead in annoyance. "Ugh!" This was not happening. The day he comes to visit his grandmother she confirms the surprise blind date and dumps it on his shoulder to deal with, it really wasn't fair. Also, what was he going to do when he was having enough trouble with everyone else?
Karin had complications with him and the Association and Momo would not fucking leave him alone. Not only that he had to keep Karin a secret since he obviously knew that Momo would bully, torture or even kill her if she knew Toshiro Hitsugaya had his eyes on Karin and not her. Not that Karin couldn't protect herself, considering that she was BBF. That was a surprise. Then there was the Mike kid who was sticking to Karin like gum, no, like super glue. That and added on top of that Karin was being distant with him ever since the AAM, and it was placing a burden on his shoulder and heart.
He was also torn between whether to give it all to his love or for the protection for his son, Himori. Momo once again just interrupts everything and destroys all planning. He was on plan 'zero'. From scratch, he had to start over again.
Like Matsumoto, Matsumoto is drinking and being lazy, as always, but it was getting overboard and too much. Plus being the busybody she is, she is interfering in everything and every way to make sure he slept with Karin again, even though she had already succeeded in once but she didn't have to know that.
Hey, a guy has to have his secrets too.
Mike looked at Karin with uncertainty. He knew it was risky. The chance of actually letting this plan succeed was only at around 35%, possibly even less. He mentally sighed and prepared himself. He spoke. "Karin?"
Karin turned towards him, giving her full attention. "What is it?" she had a gentle smile. "Do you need anything?"
"no" he paused. "yeah, I actually do, can we talk?"
"Sure"
Setting Karin down on a chair at the local park he began nervously. She stared at him with big eyes unknowing of what he wanted to do or say. He was acting a little odd. He was nervous and Mike was not nervous or anxious he was cool as jello. "Karin…we have known each other for…I don't know, how many years?"
"I think three almost closing on four." Karin's eyebrows were curiously arched. "Why?"
"Three, I didn't know it was that long. Time really flies doesn't it. Hey, you don't dislike me right?" he didn't look at her.
What was wrong with him? He couldn't even talk properly. It was annoying as hell. He looked away tyring to gather his thoughts which were scattered everywhere to how to go on to if he looked dumb in front of her.
"Mike, where are you going with this?" Somehow she did not like it. It wasn't something bad but just something that would disturb her.
"Karin, I want you to listen to me very carefully." He paused again. He kept pausing and silence ensued. Still, his eyes were penetrating Karin's gray irises. She looked at him waiting for him to go on. She suppressed the guttural feeling she had, Mike was her friend and she was going to listen. No matter what...she hoped.
Karin walked slowly. she was in a daze and couldn't think thought back to how Mike had been uncomfortable with her for the past few weeks. Realization came to her that the reason for his discomfort was because of his feelings for her. She hadn't thought of this, no not even close to her. She thought that it was his family, school or even a girlfriend but never her.
It had finally come out. He had asked her. She had stuttered and asked him to give her some thought. He agreed and told her that he would wait forever...forever. Karin was a mess. She couldn't' think properly. He had been so seriously. He meant truly meant it but she didn't know what to do.
"What am I going to do?" She shook her head. " I know, I need to play soccer."
Mike had considered what his actions would bring to both of them. It was risky.
For the both of them, it could have a sad and painful ending. Also there was the fact that Karin did not know what kind of person he was. It had been mostly an act with a alight of bit of truth. in a way it was the same with Mike. He did not know the truth about Karin. Her past and background was too secretive. Or it was the fact that he could not dig up anything about her. He did infact try to "spy" on her. Though his actions were derived from the fact that Aizen had ordered it, he was genuinely curious about her. She had intrigued him with her innocence but the malicious aura she held oh so fragilely. It was captivating.
Mike had pondered endlessly during the past year if what he wanted to do was right. It would have been forbidden if it was on impulse. But the conclusion that he had always came to was the same. He had asked and crossed the threshold. Now he would have to wait for the answer.
Whatever it was, he would wait for an answer but he was not the type to give up.
"Soccer, all alone at this time? That is unusual." Karin spurn around in surprise to find Toshiro Hitsugaya staring at her intently. She felt as if cheeks looked like a tomato. "What's on your mind?"
"Nothing much."
"Don't lie, I know something is on your mind." His fingers gracefully traced her collarbone until he came to the opening of her shirt. he laid his had out against her chest and stared deeply into her gray eyes. He could feel her even heart beat. It was loud and pounding.
Karin slowly pulled away. It did not feel right to 'betray' her friend by not giving her answer a proper thought. "What else? It's life. We have multiple livelihoods that we can't even catch up with." She paused and turned around to look into his eyes once more. It was still intoxicating, still after these four years. She loved the feeling she got whenever she lost herself in his irises. "You should know, Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya." She gave him the best smile she could muster from the confusion, her internal confusion.
"You aren't smiling at me Karin. You are faking it." He frowned. He, quite honestly, was getting pissed. He did not like being kept in the dark, especially from this young raven haired girl. "Tell me." He crossed his arms and waited.
Karin waited as well, not speaking. Her face was solemn, just like when she was on mission. Was it like a mission? It was simliar-possibly, just a little bit. She sighed and grabbed his hand. Her warmth transferred to his cold hand. "Play with me, please."
"Karin..." He watched her eyes glisten and plead. "Fine." He could not win against her, especially when she was pleading. He took her hands and pulled her forward the goal. He watched the wind blow against her face. "You have to know though, that I am here for you. I will do anything, anything for you."
"I know, and thank you for that." Karin gave a peck on his cheek. "come on, lets go play!"
She looked at her phone. No new messages or calls, she had been constantly checking her phone. She had not slept at all. She had pulled an all-nighter to wait for Toshiro Hitsugaya's call.
"Toshiro, why aren't you calling?" She muttered the words. It was filled with sadness and confusion. She did not know the reason Toshiro was acting like this. They had always been the best of friends. The best of lovers...they had never been distant. Though there had been some discommunication it did not mean that she didn't love him anymore. Besides why would she leave then come back, if she didn't love him.
Sure, he could be angry but this was too much and too long. He was always easy to forgive. Something else was effecting their 'precious' relationship.
Momo watched the sunrise in a brilliant array of colors. Making a sorrowful smile, she tore her eyes away from the lonely sun. Then she saw Toshiro Hitsugaya, her new motive, which was old as well. He needed her back, she could tell. Then he looked different, almost blissful.
Blissful?
That wasn't in Toshiro Hitsugaya's dictionary. Momo hid and watched, a girl with black hair was with him. She looked so familiar. It was Karin. Karin Kurosaki was with him! She was with her lover, the father of her son. She bit her lip hard, ignoring the stab of pain. Turning away from them, she started toward her car in anger.
"Karin…" she muttered under her breath.
They had spent all night playing soccer. He had won twice out of the three. "You know it was because of luck!" Karin believed that the last game would have been hers but because of Toshiro's luck she had lost. Besides she was drained and needed to eat than sleep.
"Karin...please, just admit it I am better than you at soccer. Besides don't be a sore loser." Toshiro gave his girl a smirk that was special. A smirk that truly showed his happiness.
"Hmph, you wish!" Karin stopped and searched around; she had felt a murderous intent aimed for her and it had been acute almost lethal as if the one who was delivering the intent was experienced at controlling herself.
Taking notice of Karin's alertness Toshiro questioned her. "Karin what's wrong?"He had a frown, seeing this; Karin covered her face with a smile and shook her head in denial. "You sure?" He looked uncertain. Karin nodded. Still at the back of her mind, she was disturbed by the constant killing stabs she felt on her back.
What was going on?
-NEXT WEEK-
"Momo!" Karin called Momo. She was walking fast. As she raised her hand to wave, Momo's brown eyes grazed by Karin's own pupils but Momo ignored her. Karin was confused. it had been a while since this had persisted to go on. It wasn't a normal 'bad mood'; it was something more, like hatred. Even close enough to murderous intent. "What is happening? Nothing makes sense anymore! Mike and now Momo, what the hell am I supposed to do…?"
Frustrated Karin walked away, every step heavy and burdened. She had avoided Mike the whole week. Ever since that announcement, she felt the gap between her and him. What he wanted was different, while she wanted a normal guy-friend relationship. Since the realization came she was perturbed by the choices she would have to make.
"What am I going to do? What am I supposed to do? Shit."
-After Karin's confrontation with Momo, at the Kurosaki Residence-
Karin sighed for the tenth time in five minutes. She had just woken up from her nap. She did not have any classes to attend and needed to organize her thoughts and one by one resolve her 'problems'. One at the top of the list was Toshiro Hitsugaya. He had been callling her but she had avoided them at all cost. It was too awkward for her talk to him like she used to. He was a member of the Association but not only that he was one of the Captains. This twisted things, many things, including her plan to live a peaceful life and create a family without them knowing.
"No...yes...no...yes. Ugh, I don't know!" She shrieked into her pillow. It was early and she did not want Yuzu to awake and check upon her. "What am I supposed to do? I cannot just avoid him for the rest of my life!"
Making her mind, Karin stood up from her bed and dressed in a comfortable green sweater and bleached skinny jeans started walking toward her favorite cafe. It was always nice to drink a latte when everthing was complicated.
The cafe was a small cozy place. it was a little pricy but they had good atmosphere and coffee. She loved this place, it was a place she always truly felt normal. She walked in through the door and stepped into the warm heated room. Her frigid body felt warm air touch her skin. The feeling was refreshing.
Taking a deep breath, she walked up to the register asked for a small caramel mocha latte with a single shot. And extra sugar and milk on the side. She also ordered her favorite fruit tart.
She sat down on the chair she usually sat when her favorite seat was taken.
"Hey, Rukia what happened to Karin...?" Ichigo walked around. "I can't find her. She has been acting weird, odd more than usual."
"..."
"Rukia?" She still did not answer."What's wrong?" Ichigo could tell her movements upstairs. She had gone into the bathroom.
He walked up the stairs in worry. He did not like that he did not know why Karin was acting strangely. Taking his last steps up he arrived to the their room. Going further in, he stopped at the bathroom door. Softly he knocked. "Rukia, honey what is wrong?" His voice was worried and strained. "Rukia answer me. If you don't come out, I will break this door."
"..."
"RUKIA!"
"Don't"
"Rukia?"
"Ichigo, don't break the door." Her soft, barely audible, voice was closer to the wooden door. Ichigo pressed his ears to the door to hear her clearer. "I need some time."
Ichigo frowned, his brow scrunched up together. "Rukia, come out. Tell me what is wrong." He waited to hear her through the wooden door. He could not handle the silence that loomed on the other side, so he spoke to her in the voice he only spoke seriously. "Rukia." He tried to feel her warmth throught he wooden door with his hands. He stopped when he heard the door knob turning. He waited to see a crack and through it he could see Rukia peering up at him. He opened up his arms to console her.
"Ichigo" Seeing Ichigo's face, Rukia pushed the door aside and rushed into his arms. Rukia felt comfortable and protected, his chest invited her to mold herself into him. "Ichigo..."
Ichigo closed his arms around his wife. his touch was soft and full of care. "Rukia tell me what bothers you. Are you still not feeling well from the pary. I thought it was better." She shook her head in denial. He sighed and rested his chin upon her head. "If it is not that, what is it that is making you feel so uncomfortable." He stopped, he tried find better words for this. "Do you not feel comfortable living with me anymore? Do you want to go back to Byakuya. You can go any time." His embrace got slightly more tighter. "Just tell me what you want. You know I will give you anything, anything you want."
Rukia's violet eyes searched for the answers. She knew what to say but she did not know how to explain it to her husband. After some work, she flipped over so that he back was against his warm chest. She was cautious. Rukia did not know how to continue. She had never expected this and had not discussed it with Ichigo ever. There was no question that they did not need to use protection or any contraceptions during their nights. "Do you love me?"
"Rukia, what is this about?"
-On the other side of the cafe-
Toshiro Hitsugaya sat patiently, though inside he was annoyed, for the girl to come. She was late by twenty minutes. Hitsugaya did not understand why or how a person could be late by twenty minutes not even ten but twenty. Nonetheless, he was angry at the fact that one could be or would be later for a blind date. it was just rude. It was not as if he wanted to do it and meet this girl.
To be honest it was all quite annoying. He was not the only one left that was not married yet the Society even agreed with his grandmother on this arranged date. There was Captain Soifon, Captain Kyoraku, Captain Ukitake and others. Yet, it was all eyes on him.
he sighed and looked out the window.
Momo sighed and let her whole body lean into the wall. She had ignored Karin. She didn't want to. She had become very close friends with Karin over the past months but that little memory of her walking with Toshiro kept coming up. Momo knew she was acting paranoid.
The two could have known each other because of clubs or something. It wasn't as if they were dating but still, she had a gut feeling. And she knew better to trust it than to ignore it. This instinct she had learned from the Association.
Yes, she was and still is a part of the Association, just like her lover...Toshiro Hitsugaya. She had a difficult past and scandals but she still was a member of the Association. Momo was even a high officer but for several reasons she had run away. Away from Toshiro, Himori and the Association.
She was weak but she wasn't vulnerable. She wasn't strong but she knew how to fight. Oh, she had the skills but it wasn't good as the new Bloody Black Flower or Toshiro or Ichigo.
Momo had lost a friend, because of her jealousy and bitter anger she was taking it out on Karin. Poor karin.
"I'm sorry. Just give me some time."
Some time, just until I get my family back.
Toshiro Hitsugaya looked out the window before contemplating if he should ditch or not. He was not young anymore but he wasn't stupid enough to waste time on something so useless as this blind date. The problem was that his grandmother was the one who set the date up for him. The thing was he was too soft on his grandmother that he could not say no or disappoint her by ditching this set up. Plus The Head Captain was insistent on at the least meeting the said girl.
"I see that you are in deep thought. Mother was right, for once, when she said you had pretty eyes and handsome face." Toshiro did not show it but he was surprised that he did not noticed her until she had spoken. not only that she was sitting and drinking a cup of tea as well.
"Was there not a picture sent? Though Grandmother did not show me yours."
"Oh the picture was sent. Though one picture may say a thousand words, a proper impression cannot be made without an actual meeting." She glanced her pretty blue eyes at Toshiro. "Do you not think the same?"
Toshiro smirked. She was pretty, blue eyes, charming smile, elegant posture, beautiful face and all the aspects of a lady born from a well-known family. only a family his grandmother would know. Her skin was rosy and she had striking straight blonde hair. Too boost, she was...in a way smart. "You have a good point but there are some points that pictures may tell about their true nature. Pictures are guides but still one may choose if they truly wish to meet the person by face or by instinct."
Toshiro noticed steps; soft steps that resembled Karin's own. Still he ignored it convincing himself that it was in fact a coincident. "Toshiro?" Then he knew he was wrong. He could never mistake her voice. He dramatically turned around slowly. His eyes skimmed the lady in front of him.
"Ichigo, I don't know if I am ready..." She buried her head into his chest. Her short hair poked him. His arms loosened around her, then in one swoop motion he carried her and sat down on their bed. he held her tightly.
"Rukia, what are you not ready for?" He tried to joke to lighten the mood it did not work. "You are one of the deadliest human alive!"
"No time for jokes." Then Ichigo knew it was serious. She had started to speak in sentences that were not grammatically correct. And he knew that she only did this when she was either truly frustrated or deeply in worry.
"Tell me and let me help you." His warm, brown eyes met her shimmering violet eyes.
"Ichigo...I'm pregnant."
"..."
"Toshiro I want to be in his life." Momo shook her head. She was practicing her lines. "No, no, no, no, this does not sound right!" Momo looked at her phone in her hand. She had been eager to call him but she did not know what to say or ask. She needed to talk to Toshiro but she did not know what to say to make sure he understood what her intentions were.
it was true that she did want to be with him again but Momo only Himori. If that was the only option she would agree with whatever Toshiro wanted, if Himori became her legal son. Blood did not matter in this society, the paper was stronger than the bond.
Karin heard a familiar voice, it was odd.
Why would he be here? He said he could not meet today. I must be imagining things.
Karin shook here head to throw her thoughts away but to her hopes it did not work. So curiosity took over and caused her to walk toward the back, where there were plenty of tables. Then as she expected and hoped-both opposite hopes, she found the said person smiling valiantly at a beautiful if not gorgeous lady. She, to be honest, was shocked and a little hurt, more hurt though.
"Karin? What are you doing here?" He could see her eyes moving back and forth him and his acquaintance.
"Coffee" She held her coffee up to show him. "This is my spot, I should be asking you. Though, who is she, if I can ask?" Karin hoped for the best. It was good to be optimistic.
"This is...uh" He stopped. To be truthful, and also embarassed, he did not know her name. He looked at her for help.
"My name is Jessica Lindt (if it is anyone's name, wow I am good at guessing last names)." She directly talked to Karin while flashing her pearly white teeth. They were shiny.
"Name is Karin Kurosaki. Oh, I'm sorry but I do have to get going. Toshiro I have to go. It was nice meeting you Jessica." With that, Karin walked as fast as she could out of the store. She really had not expected this to happen. It was surprising. They had, the day before spent time together yet he was with a gorgeous lady at their cafe.
She was really beautiful. I don't match up to her...
Karin shook the thought out of her head. She was the kind of person who did not know her own beauty. In her mind, she was an average girl, more to the boy side than the girls.
"I hope she wasn't a girlfriend or anything. I really did not want to cause problems, I know this was set up by our family." Jessica smiled, not disappointed at all. "I actually came here to make a friend not a husband."
"I...I...ugh" He slapped his forehead dramatically. "I am sorry about this."
"Well, if it is all right with you I would like to go on to my next plan."
"No, go ahead, you must be busy." Toshiro watched her walk out until he could not see her back from where he sat. He sighed. This was even more trouble. Though he did want to get married, he did not want to be rude to anyone. his thoughts were broken.
the phone rang, he slowly took it out sluggishly. Looking at the caller list. He was hesitant to answer. Toshiro Hitsugaya did not need her to bother him but out of courtesy he picked it up. "What?"
"..."
"Why? You wouldn't, you don't have any right to!"
"..."
"Fine! Shit, Momo, you are unwanted. you better not be late!"
Later on the next day
Momo grabbed unto his shoulder and gave it a tight squeeze. Her eyes were moist with tears but through the mirage, Toshiro Hitsugaya could see her ferocious determination.
His resolve wasn't going to go down the drain easily. He had made his decision and he was not planning to change it any time soon.
"Toshiro, please, I want to be in his life!" She was begging now. "No, I deserve to be in his life, I', his mother."
"A mother who left, Hinamori, that was the decision you took when you ran with Aizen!" Toshiro wasn't able to keep his cool. "You were the one who wanted him gone, you almost killed him!"
"Toshiro…that was a long time ago, I was young and foolish." The tears kept falling. "You can't blame me for my naïve self. I was afraid and desperate!"
"Himori doesn't know you. he doesn't know you exist. You are NOT part of his life. It was how it was back then, now and forever!"
Karin saw Toshiro. She walked toward him walking softly on the grass. She soon stopped and hid as she saw Toshiro was with Momo. She didn't know they knew each other. slightly confused she got closer but kept her distance. Though she knew that no one would be able to sense her presence even if Toshiro was a Captain, Karin nonetheless hid. She watched him get frustrated and angry. She could finally hear them much more clearly when she concentrated and stopped moving. "Toshiro…more than a single parent in his life" Karin gasped as she listened.
A soft whisper came out of Karin's mouth as she fell to the ground with a silent thud. "Toshiro…" She held her hand against her mouth as she wept uncontrollably. The pain was real, the words were real and the sadness that enveloped her was more than real. So much that it felt almost surreal to her. Her attachment became distant and her body sat there on the soft grass.
"Toshiro, you can't do this!" He belongs to me, no, us. He is our son. He needs us, both of us. It is only fair to him." Momo tried to be calm, she was on a breakdown. Toshiro was agitated and stubborn. Her desperate pleas and actions were not going to work on him. She took a step forward and rested her head on his chest as she hugged him tight. "You can't deny this to him. He deserves both father and mother. Himori deserves more than a single parent in his life."
"What will you tell him then? That you came back after living with a murderous bastard for Ten years!" Toshiro grinded his teeth together. It was the only way to control his voice level. "What will you tell him when he asks you where you were for past ten years and why you were dead!"
"Shiro..."
"No! Tell me the answer. How will you tell him of our past? How will you explain to a ten year old why his mother left him the second he was born!"
"It isn't. I have a RIGHT to his custody. The law..."
"You don't deserve anything. Don't bring up the law. You should have stayed with Aizen, Momo. You have brought danger to everyone in the Association and Himori! Do you realize that!" He screeched. Momo's eyes wavered as new tears formed. "Since you came back did you NOT notice the men that tails you! The men that now follows everyone else you know! Karin, Himori, Matsumoto and even Granny is getting surveillance by men, who are trained to kill and be not seen!"
"You are lying..."
"Matsumoto hasn't been going to the Association lately because of them." He looked away then in a much more calm state let his eyes look at her face. Still the anger was rising up. "Let me ask you this, how is it that you do not know this when you were a lieutenant of the Fifth Division..."
"Toshiro...I forgot how to...my skills..."
"The skills that we learn don't disappear, Momo! It is soemthing that will persist in our lives until we die. That is how we learned to become that level, to the point that it is an instinct, a reflex we have in order to survive."
"Toshiro...I am not the girl ten years ago..."
"Momo, it is engraved into your head. You can't change that. Even if you lie you won't be able to change that fact!"
"I'm his mother!"
So this concludes this chapter and section. So there are GOOD news and BAD news. Though I have been having some blocks while writing, it had not been serious. So first I would like to ask that you will be patient with me. Originally this was supposed to have been posted as a Christmas present for my readers but it had been postponed to a REALLY LATE New Years surprise. I apologize for the LONG delay, though there is a new story I am doing. Now the bad news...
The bad news involves my flashdrive, which I kept ALL of my stories and chapters.I even had a new story that was completed. Now a few months ago it had been damaged and because of the damage-unless I get it fixed, which will cost TOO much for a student of my age-I am unable to access any of the data I need for this story and other future stories already written. So the results is that I will have to REWRITE my chapters and reform my ideas for this story. The main problem is that I take a VERY LOOONG time to actually type the story and refine it so that it is presentable, despite the grammer mistakes. There is also the NEW story that I had written which I wanted to post during my so-called break but now I am unable to. And it was not the Beautiful Beast.
The GOOD news is that despite this I am still excited to continue this story and post new ones. I think that this may let me post new stories, even if it short, about other couples as welland maybe something not even related to bleach, probably Gundam Seed. I have been reminescing about my childhood and Gundam is the anime that like created anime in my young child mind...so I will devote something to them, sooner or later.
PLEASE REVIEW AND COMMENT- this is the ONLY way I know people still read this story. Also it is a way for me to figure out if I am doing something weird ot not right. Also this chapter was REALLY long right? proud of me? longer than 5500 words! hehehhehe
From here on I am guessing there will be approximately ten more chapters but it could be less. IF there is something you would like to see happen here in the later chapters do tell! I would love to know! I know I promised someone this! Also I need some plots to tie down my story.
SPECIAL THANKS to Tori-Chan-Madrigal! THANK YOU I LOVE YOU! You are the best helper in the WORLD!She is the SPECIAL thankee for this chapter. Again thank you, this chapter would not be completed without YOU!
-journeyHK826-
P.S. -THANK YOU! THis is for ALL my readers who have given this story LOVE and CARE! THANK YOU AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! I"m sorry please blame my laziness, I cannot write EVERYONE who reviewed and still care...bc I usually mess it up and then feel horrible about it.