Ok, so after all the craziness of the last few weeks, what with fanfic. net going down and all, I think I can finally get back on track! Yay! So the schedule should resume as normal starting today. There isn't much left, but there will still be a couple more chapters, so stay tuned! Again, thanks for being patient with the website malfunctioning (although I'm not sure how patient you actually were :D)

Karin was so furious at her father that she refused to speak to him. She spent her time sparring Renji with crazed fervor, as if all that mattered in the whole world was the clashing of their blades. Hanataro immersed himself in straightening up the pharmacy, a daunting project that took him the better part of a month. He kept one watchful eye on Karin as she ruthlessly attacked Renji, ready to intervene if necessary. But Renji was still stronger than her, much to Karin's irritation, and defended himself admirably. Karin had yet to defeat him, and it seemed that her rage wouldn't be quelled until she did.

Meanwhile, Orihime explored Karakura, capturing the hearts of everyone in town. When she wasn't busy gathering admirers, she tailed Hanataro like a shadow and he taught her about all the herbs he was organizing, where they came from, and how they were used. Orihime listened with rapt attention. Hanataro was embarrassed yet pleased by her willingness to learn.

"She's gonna be a right little doctor when you're done with her," Renji joked one afternoon as he and Karin took a break. Hanataro had just pulled out a rare flower and Orihime was ogling it with fascination.

"It's good for her to get an education," Karin said, wiping sweat from her brow. "But that aside, Renji, what are you still doing here?" Renji shrugged.

"Acting as your stress reliever." Karin glared at him.

"Just so you know, I have no intention of actually marrying you." Renji pouted.

"Really?" he whined. "'Cause I was kinda hoping that…oof." Karin drew her elbow out of his gut.

"Don't get smart with me," she snapped. "Anyway, I'm grateful to you and everything for being my fiancé stand in, and frankly I'm liking the sparring partner, but you don't know my dad like I do. He's liable to wake up one morning and decide that it's a good day for a wedding. I don't want to get caught up in that mess."

"So you're kicking me out?" Renji said with a laugh. "After all we've been through, that's how you're treating me? I'm a little hurt." Karin raised an incredulous eyebrow and Renji chuckled.

"Besides," he added. "Who's gonna receive your wrath if I leave? I don't really think chibi-chan's up to it." Hanataro shuttered involuntarily at the thought.

"I'm not kicking you out," Karin explained, casting a glare in Hanataro's direction, who had the decency to shrink away with shame. "I'm just warning you, oyaji's a nutcase. He sent me a letter that cast me out of the house for a year, remember?"

"I remember," Renji replied. "But I'm kinda enjoying being a mooch for now." Karin sighed.

"Whatever. I'm thirsty. Be right back." After she left, Hanataro turned to Renji.

"You don't really want to marry her, do you?" he asked. Renji grinned secretively.

"And if I did?" Hanataro's eyes opened wide and Renji laughed.

"Kidding, kidding man. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love her to death, but I think even I'd have trouble keeping up with a girl like that. You feel the same way don't you?" Hanataro's blush was all the answer Renji needed. "Naw, I'm just sticking around so I can see the look on Toushiro's face when Karin decapitates him." Hanataro sighed fondly.

"You also think he'll come back?" Renji grinned.

"Nothing in heaven or hell could keep those two apart. I've never seen a couple more suited for each other. That is, if Karin doesn't kill him the second he shows his face." Hanataro groaned.

"I'm not really looking forward to that," he said painfully.

"Looking forward to what?" Karin asked, leaning on the doorframe. Hanataro failed miserably at inventing a cover story, but luckily Renji took charge.

"Our next bout!" he said cheerily, wrapping an arm around Karin's shoulder and leading her into the courtyard. "Let's get to it!"

oooooooooooooooo

Spring rolled in, sweeping across Karakura with a wave of color. Pink sakura petals, white persimmon flowers, and red camellia blossoms showered the town in a fragrant rainbow. Karin's courtyard was an explosion of pale pink and Orihime squealed with delight as she pranced around amidst the raining confetti.

One morning, as the family and freeloaders sat down for breakfast, an enormous bang erupted from the courtyard.

"What the…" Renji asked, startled, but he was answered by a loud voice.

"Oi, oyaji, I'm home!"

"Ichi-nii!" Karin exclaimed, racing out of the house to greet Ichigo and Rukia. "What are you doing here? It's a little early for you to visit isn't it?" Ichigo laughed and clapped her on the shoulder.

"What are you talking about?" he asked joyfully. "I'm not about to miss the wedding!"

"Wedding?" Karin asked, confused. "What wedding?" Ichigo raised an eyebrow.

"Um, yours," he replied as if it was totally obvious. "Actually, I'm kinda glad you picked Renji over that creepy guy. He was a bit strange if you ask me. But…"

"Who said I'm getting married?" Karin interrupted. "Who said I chose Renji? What…?"

"Oh, I've been meaning to tell you Karin," her father cut in, an enormous grin plastered on his face. 'I scheduled your wedding for tomorrow. I sent Ichigo and Rukia-chan a letter to let them know and I…"

"WHAT?" Karin thundered. "How dare you plan my wedding without my knowledge? Damn it, I knew you'd pull something like this. Have you lost your mind?" Orihime hid behind Hanataro, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire.

"But Karin," Isshin whined, pouting madly. "I thought you'd be happy. You and Renji-san seem to get along so well and…"

"Who said I wanted to marry Renji?" she screamed, pointing an accusatory finger at the man in question.

"You did," Renji reminded her. Karin rolled her eyes.

"Oh please, who'd want to marry you?" Renji laughed.

"Tough break man. Better luck next time." All eyes turned to the door to the courtyard, which Ichigo had left wide open, to gape at the unexpected speaker.

"Ikkaku?" Karin and Renji exclaimed in astonishment.

"Don't forget about us!" Yumichka sang, popping up behind his friend. Karin gaped as every member of the elevens trouped into the courtyard like it was the most natural thing in the world for them to show up unannounced, en mass, in the utterly harmless town of Karakura.

"Don't tell me oyaji invited you guys too?" Karin groaned. "Wait, he doesn't know them. Renji!" She shot him an accusatory glare. Renji held up his hands defensively.

"Hey, don't blame me," he protested. "I know as much about this wedding as you do."

"Then why…?" Karin began, but her voice died in her throat as another man entered the courtyard. A man she knew all too well.

"I brought them," Hitsugaya said. Karin's face went from surprise to outrage so fast it was as if she ripped a mask off. She marched right up to him, drawing her swords as she went. Hitsugaya stood his ground, holding his head high and planting his feet firmly, making no motion to defend himself against whatever onslaught Karin was about to deal. Karin paused, blades inches from his throat.

"What are you doing here Toushiro?" she spat, her voice laced with venom. Hitsugaya matched her stare, his face solid and confident.

"I found Aizen," he stated matter-of-factly. "I want to bring him down." Karin's grip on her swords tightened.

"And?" she hissed. Hitsugaya looked her dead in the eye.

"And if I want to capture him alive, I'm going to need your help." Karin took a second to process his statement, then her rage melted faster than an ice sculpture in a bonfire. She dropped her swords, allowing them to clatter unceremoniously to the ground as she jumped at Hitsugaya, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her lips to his in a moment of unbridled passion. She could almost feel the relief wash over him as he overcame his shock at her sudden movement and kissed back.

"Ow ow!" Ikkaku catcalled. Renji whistled at them and all the elevens broke into raucous applause. Karin and Hitsugaya drew apart, blushing at the realization that everyone they knew was watching, but grinning madly nonetheless.

"It's about damn time," Renji cheered, slapping Hitsugaya on the back. Orihime dashed out and leapt at Hitsugaya, who lifted her up high as she squealed with delight. Hanataro was moved to tears.

"Ojosama's all grown up," he gushed, wiping his eyes with his sleeve, his face glowing with pride. "It's finally happened." Yumichka patted his shoulder comfortingly. Isshin looked suspiciously less perturbed than he should have been at all this, and instead was nodding his approval, as if he knew all along that Karin's affections lay somewhere besides Renji. Rukia tried to hold Ichigo back as he attempted to draw his sword, but there were too many people between him and Hitsugaya for his outbursts of irritation to be heard anyway. Karin sought Matsumoto out of the crowd and called her over.

"Matsumoto-san," she began. "I'm really, really sorry for…" but the rest of her apology was lost as Matsumoto embraced her in a bone crushing hug.

"From now on," Matsumoto told her, her face radiant, "you are my sister." Karin grinned widely.

"Thanks," she replied and Matsumoto beamed at her. Karin turned back to Hitsugaya as he returned Orihime to the ground.

"Seriously though," she said, her face still lit with laughter. "Why'd you have to bring the whole crew here?" Hitsugaya's face became stunningly grave.

"I told you I found Aizen right?" Karin nodded. "Well, that's not entirely true, but the Shinigami are quite picky about which villages they chose to target, and since I used to be a member, I'm privy to many of their strategy secrets and I know how Aizen thinks. I know, with absolute confidence, which village he's targeting next." Karin swallowed hard.

"And it is?" she asked, almost afraid to hear the answer. Hitsugaya met her gaze and confirmed her fear.

"This one," he replied. "Tonight."

Kudos if you saw this coming!