Fingers raked through dark tresses, undoing some of the knots still found within. The lips of their owner curled into a frown as she slowly made her way towards her destination. The dragging of her feet against the sidewalk wasn't noticeable to most, however her lack of conviction was all the more obvious because of it. A constant pain in her head was supposed to be normal at this point, seeing as her sensitivity to spiritual activity has been anything but dampened, though for some reason these headaches have felt more consistent for the last few weeks with that in consideration.
Ever since she began middle school, the burden of Karin's spiritual prowess had hit home. Her brother, who'd lost his ability to see spirits, seemed like nothing more than a soulless cadaver, doing what he needed if only to get by the day. Orihime, Chad, and Uryu would visit the clinic more often than they did prior to losing his powers, but their efforts were quickly proven fruitless.
Sure, from time to time they'd be able to crack a smile out of him, however if she were to closely observe his eyes, Karin could tell that it was nothing more than an empty mask made to please.
Sometime after that … his spirit seemed to have been uplifted. Though Ichigo refused to fully explain the events leading to him getting his powers back, Karin could tell that he'd returned to his usual, spirited self. She was happy to see that he regained his happiness through this … but at the same time, she envied it. She envied that despite everything he'd been through, he was able to get his life back in order. Smile as if everything in the world was alright.
If he could do it, why couldn't she? At some point in time, a frown had become her signature look, rather than that of her brother's.
She was in high school now the same age as Ichigo when everything had gone downhill for him and his spiritual prowess. Though it was nothing more than an extension of the school she was already very familiar with, with nothing more than a new uniform and everyone's hormones blasted on high. It was obvious from the way she observed the way boys ogled at any girl who walked past them, their red hues and perverted grins not subtle enough to escape her careful eye.
Though something like that would further worsen her mood, there were a couple reasons she was able to turn her head at this particular moment: one, she wasn't the one they were eyeing so inappropriately, and two, the trail of ghosts following her around were of more concern than anything else.
Was it always like this for Ichigo when he was in high school?
"Karin! Heyyyy!" The cheerful voice of her twin sister Yuzu could be heard echoing through the halls as she made her way, the unfortunate victims of her ironclad grip being dragged not too far behind. Despite her subjects' frightened faces, Yuzu had yet to show any sign of remorse, instead continuing to wave wildly at her twin.
Behind her was the timid, yet cheerful face of Ururu, and a familiar, red mane that trailed from behind. Jinta's face was noticeably dampered for a reason Karin was unaware of, however the second she'd come into view, a devious grin became plastered upon his lips.
"What's up Karin? Think you're too cool for school?" He spat as the other two stationed themselves behind him. "You'd think you just got dumped with that sour expression on your face."
More like the lack of any expression at all, but Karin wasn't about to start anything on the first day of school, not that it mattered much to her in the first place. A hand gently adjusted the angle that her bag laid across her shoulder before releasing a small sigh.
"Haha." She laughed, sarcasm dripping from her voice, "It's nice to see someone's capable of blocking out the extra noise. I don't know about you but I haven't been capable of having a single second to myself since I woke up this morning."
As if to further accentuate her discomfort, the medium jabbed her thumb in the direction of the ever chatty spirits settled behind her. The mere noise was depleting her energy, and the other souls given the gift to see the same as her were able to tell almost instantly.
"Huh? What are you talking about Karin? Did something happen?" Yuzu held her hands close to her chest, eyes pleading with her sister to explain the situation.
Karin's gaze softened as she returned her focus to her twin. "Oh it's nothing Yuzu … Just … people being unusually chatty. It's pissing me off to be frank."
She just couldn't seem to get any time to herself. Wherever she went, whether it be her home, the school, or even the soccer field, spirits were present and whispering amongst one another. It wasn't as if there were some special holiday or festival that was coming up, so whatever got everyone in such a jumble was beyond her.
"Ah, chill out Kurosaki." Jinta was quick to dismiss the teen's dismay, waving his hand in front of his face. "You're just too darn sensitive for your own good. If you keep this up, you won't find any sorta peace. Just focus on the now. If you don't … then you'd better be ready to see Jinta Hanakari ruling this school!"
Obnoxious laughter followed the grand plans of the baseball player, hands resting upon his hips as if said plan had already come to fruition.
"Dream on loser." Karin sighed, running her hands through raven black tresses. "As if anyone here would do a thing you'd ask of 'em."
Before any more rebukes could be thrown her way, the highschooler made her way to class. As she passed by the classroom, she quickly determined that there wasn't anyone inside yet. The dimmed lights and empty seats had said it all. Even then, the sunlight did more than enough to illuminate the room.
Carefully placing her bag at the foot of her desk, Karin sat in the chair closest to the window. It was a rather cliche choice, but she always found herself lost in the view of the outside, even if it was just of the school field. It was more interesting than any view she'd get anywhere else.
It should have been such a peaceful moment. A girl who's beginning her adventure in high school, sitting at her desk, thinking back on her life and how she'd gotten there. Or at least that's how it's portrayed in the manga she reads. Instead she was stuck in an empty room that was too filled with spirits. All of them staring directly at her.
Finally deciding that enough was enough, a sigh passed her lips. "Alright you idiots, what's the big deal? Don't tell me that seeing me in a high school uniform is enough to blab about for hours." She stated plainly, daring anyone to answer.
She watched as all of the spirits shared glances with one another, silently begging someone to speak up. It was funny, the one time she wanted someone to talk, everyone became deathly quiet. Just peachy.
Seconds passed before it was seemingly decided that no one would speak up, so for the first time today, all of the spirits fled her field of vision as if their lives depended on it. From the look upon her face, it was a wise decision.
"Hahaha! Wow, no matter how much time passes it seems some things never change." A familiar voice laughed at the entrance of the room.
Karin's head snapped in their direction, her lips spreading into a wide grin. "Heita!"
"What's up Captain! I hope you didn't miss me too much." A playful wink reached the boy's features before claiming the seat ahead of her, placing his bag near his feet and proceeding to sit to properly face the girl.
"Man … high school. Can you believe it?"
Karin rested her chin against the desk's surface, nodding her head offhandedly. "Oh yay. More schoolwork. I can't wait." Her fist pumped into the air with as much enthusiasm as her voice held. Barely any to speak of.
Her display was then followed by a sigh, Heita shaking his head at his best friend's behavior. "No need to sound so excited…" He mumbled.
How expected it was of a Kurosaki to be as interested in school as one could be in watching grass grow. Her interests have always lied more with athletics and at some point … art. There were times where Karin caught herself doodling her thoughts and memories down onto a notebook. The more often she did it, the better she began feeling about her situation, so she'd been continuing the hobby ever since.
A small hum escaped Kurosaki's lips as she adjusted herself to sit in a more comfortable position, focusing on the view outside. She watched as the grass blew along with the breeze, reminding her of the view she was met with at the soccer field she and her friends visited regularly. If only she could play soccer for the rest of her life. It was the only time she really felt excited, the only time she felt like accomplished anything. Sure, there were moments in her life where she got a similar rush pumping through her veins, however … the one she remembered most involved someone she hadn't seen in a long time …
"Woah, I don't think I've ever seen her make that face before."
"It's so … weird. Don't you think so?"
Two new voices interrupted her thoughts, something she would have found irritable if it weren't for the fact that she needed the distraction. Whatever look those boys had been whispering about earlier quickly dissipated into a smile similar to the one she'd given Heita earlier, eyes lighting up like the stars of the night.
"... Donny, Kazuya, Ryohei." She breathed, staring into the smiling faces of her old friends. "Man is it good to see you guys."
Heita feigned hurt at Karin's shifted attention towards the others, raising his hands to his chest. "Kurosaki! Am I really not enough for you anymore? Augh … my life … is over." In a dramatic display, the boy fell backwards but caught himself mid-fall before he could actually topple onto the ground in an ungraceful heap. The three teens surrounding him laughed at his theatrics, Kazuya giving him a hard pat on the back.
"Oh yeah, totally. There are plenty more fish out there for me to catch." A grin made its way onto the girl's face, feigning that dreamy look that princesses usually had in those cheesy movies they always watched as kids. "I'm sure there's some handsome boy out there, just waiting to land his eyes on a maiden as well endowed as myself … and I bet he's good at soccer too."
Playing along with Karin's sharade Ryohei got down on one knee and let out a breathy sigh, extending his hand towards her. "My darling, I have come for you." He sang.
At this, all five of them broke into a fit of laughter, not being able to take any of their antics seriously. Karin in particular felt more at ease thanks to her friends' assistance, no longer lingering upon that disheartening mentality she'd divulged herself in prior to their arrival. She was truly blessed to have friends like them.
"And I see the freaks will always be freaks … no matter how old we grow."
A haughty voice rang from the hallway, its owner quickly approaching the class that the small group of friends converged in. Within their field of vision entered a teen girl no taller than Karin herself, though within a single glance anyone could tell that was as far as their similarities ran. Her hair was dirty blonde, so light in color some could mistaken it for white. It was well kept, and curled in all of the right places to frame her face. She was the epitome of femininity with the way she rocked her hips as she walked, twirling her hair around her finger without an ounce of thought.
"I'll admit … some of you seem to have improved, even if it was just in terms of looks." She eyed some of the boys in front of her, her gaze landing on a couple of Karin's friends before finally resting upon Karin herself.
"You, however … you haven't changed at all." Her finger wagged at the tomboy, her gaze obviously judging the young woman before her.
Teeth grit together almost painfully, irritation evident on Karin's features. It was funny how whenever she found herself enjoying a moment, the world just had to throw in a wrench and wreck it all for what it was worth. Did she not deserve peace? Is that what all of these signs were pointing to? She couldn't think of a single thing she'd done to deserve this constant sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, and she wanted nothing more than for it to go away.
"Yuzuha Kenji." Karin drawled, casting the teen a look of indifference. "It's nice to see you're doing well."
A pleasant smile was quickly sent in return to Karin's greeting, but it was hard to miss the dangerous glare that had been sent along with it. "I can say the same to you Kurosaki. I just hope those spirits don't continue giving you a hard time." She mocked, taking a seat on the other side of class before carefully looking through the contents of her bag.
A scoff quickly made its way onto the teen's face, redirecting her focus to the field once more. That pinging sensation was surfacing once more, though the source of it still remained unclear. Could it be that the teen was simply stressed? Was there a hollow nearby? Or was her irritation affecting more than just her thoughts? It would have helped if those ghosts from earlier had just said something!
"Geeze Kurosaki, you'd think your head was in outer space or something!" Heita snapped his fingers in front of the girl's face, waving his hand soon after. "You've been shifting in and out of reality like nobody's business. What's wrong with you?"
Karin simply gazed at the boy in response, lips pursed together as she searched for a proper response. She could barely figure out the answer to that question herself … and that was with her knowledge of the spiritual world that existed just beyond what the eye could see.
"Can't you guys see that Karin needs some time to herself? It's obvious she isn't well." A scolding voice began as its owner entered the room, a look of disapproval reaching hazel hues.
"Kuro- I mean Yuzu!" A smile reached the faces of the boys surrounding the area. "I … suppose. I mean isn't it just a bit odd that she's so spacy? I just thought something was wrong."
"So I've noticed … I was thinking we can give her a little time and then ask about it later? She doesn't seem to be in the mood to be answering any questions."
Heita erupted in subtle laughter, his hand rubbing the nape of the neck rather sheepishly. "Yeah, I guess so."
As the two were conversing, Karin herself sat to the side, gazing at her two acquaintances with mild irritation.
"Can you two quit talking about me like I'm not right here?" She bit out of frustration.
Both of the teens froze at her bluntness, the looks upon their faces telling how they'd be cautious of whatever behavior they would exhibit from then on. Yuzu in particular seemed worried, the frown upon her face on prominent display.
"Sorry sis …"
"Sorry Kurosaki …"
Knitted brows were quick to soften after observing the guilty looks upon her friends' features.
"I … sorry guys." She mumbled, followed by a small shake of the head. "I'm just not in it right now. I wish I could tell you why … but I don't quite know myself." And that fact alone made her more irritated than anything else. Not knowing what was going on with her ability to sense reiatsu always managed to drive her up a wall.
A hand was quickly placed onto her shoulder, a look of understanding sent from her ever gracious sister.
"Don't worry about it. Just take care of yourself okay? We worry about you."
Karin hadn't moved from her spot, but nodded anyway. Sometimes she thought that her sister worried too much for her own good. Even though they're older now, Yuzu hasn't developed the ability to see spirits. Though it was nice to see that at least someone in their unconventional family has the potential to grow up normally, it was hard to continuously act like everything was okay when it was anything but.
Hollows, spirits, shinigami … Yuzu shouldn't be forced into a world like that. Out of everyone in their family, a normal life was what she deserved, if not even more.
"Alright everyone! Please take your seats!" The voice of their homeroom teacher boomed as she walked through the doors, a clipboard in hand. With every step made, the voices in the classroom quieted down until it'd shifted into complete silence.
"Today is everyone's first day of school and it would be my honor to make it one to remember."
The woman finally stopped her stride as she stood in front of the podium stationed in the middle of the class, a pleased smile playing upon her lips. "My name is Kimaya Izuma and I will be your homeroom teacher. I understand that everyone has yet to introduce themselves … however we do have an addition to the class that was made just this morning. He'll be here in just a moment so I ask that all of you treat him well."
Karin didn't care much to listen to the woman's words, not when the pain in her head had taken her attention for all it was worth. She still struggled to figure out the source. Though she was in pain … it wasn't the kind that left her bedridden, which was usually the result of a particularly menacing hollow. Even the smaller ones … the pain usually wasn't so … dull. With every second that passed she found herself cursing those spirits. If only they could tell her what was going on! It couldn't be that she was simply sick, was it?
"My name is Tōshirō Hitsugaya." A tired voice drawled.
Her head snapped forward at the familiar name, eyes wide with shock. The last time she'd heard that name she was twelve years old. She'd barely even heard the boy walk in … Their name couldn't have been a coincidence, could it?
Her question was answered the very moment her eyes met his. It was obvious that he'd grown at least somewhat from when they last met. He seemed lengthier, his hair not as gravity-defying as before, yet still holding itself at odd angles. It almost seemed softer. Though the one that managed to give it all away were those indistinguishable cyan hues, melting into a bright green. The way her breath caught in her throat, the pain of her head miraculously disappearing, only he could cause her world to flip upside down. Tōshirō Hitsugaya.