Main POV

"Morning," Ichigo said from beside me, leaning down to kiss my forehead. I hadn't slept a wink last night, I couldn't stop thinking about the weird guy and his unusual spiritual pressure. I croaked slightly as I opened my mouth to speak. I wriggled closer to him, I just wanted to keep sleeping.

"Morning baby," I managed.

"You were pretty restless last night, everything okay?" He asked, propping himself up on one elbow.

"Sorry," I mumbled. "Did I keep you awake?"

"No, not really," he told me.

"So yes, then," I laughed softly.

"No, I only noticed you were having a rough night before I fell asleep and then when I woke up again I noticed you still weren't looking to good," he assured me. "What's bothering you?"

"I've been thinking about that guy," I told him. "I know it's probably a coincidence but when you eat, sleep and breath Bleach like I did, you start to pick up on the warning signs."

"Oh, and you think you're important enough to be plot central do you?" He teased, poking me in the nose.

"Hey, this story arch started with me," I scowled at him and shoved him.

"Yeah but I found you," he told me.

"Yeah," I agreed. "Me."

"Anyway," he said, changing the subject. "You've gotta get up, and forget all that worrying. I need you focused today."

"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow and pushed myself up off the mattress, leaning on a hand as I sat next to him. "Focused on what?"

"It's the 24th," he told me. "We've got to chaperone Karin and Toshiro today."

"Still convinced he's going to make a move on your sister are you?" I laughed. "And Merry Christmas I guess."

"Yes! Look at him, he aged up and he already had all the girls falling for him. If she likes him and he's interested there's no way he won't," he argued.

"You forget he's the much respected shinigami captain, and I'm pretty sure he's never even noticed a girl before," I told him. "We should be fine. And anyway, he's not going to try anything even if he isn't a decent person, which he is, because you're her brother. No one is stupid enough to risk your wrath unnecessarily."

"You really think?" He lay back against the pillows.

"I'm sure," I shoved him lightly. "Now come on, I thought you said we had to get up."

"Is there something wrong with Kurosaki?" Hitsugaya asked me as we walked slightly farther away from Ichigo and Karin. I laughed.

"He thinks you're going to make a move on his sister," I replied honestly. "And she's not 11 anymore so he's worried she'll let you."

"I would never!" He started and I laughed. "That would be inappropriate, and Karin's my friend."

"So?" I asked. "I was Ichigo's friend. Renji was Rukia's friend. And anyway, pretty sure everyone except you can tell how the two of you feel about each other."

"What the hell are you talking about?" He replied and I laughed.

"You don't have to do anything about it," I told him. "But remember even if you don't like her, she defiantly likes you. She has since she was 11, she just hasn't realised it yet."

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Surer than sure," I confirmed. "If you do want to do something, take it slow. Be gentle. Karin's a tough girl, but this is all new to her. And she'll probably punch you even if she does like what you're doing."

"Yeah," he sighed. "Sounds like her. How are you such an expert on how people feel, huh?"

"I just read people," I shrugged. Well, I read about people in manga. Same thing. "If you're really serious about her, I'll talk to Ichigo, get him to stop staring at you like he's a pitbull and you're a steak."

"That would be appreciated, yes," he shook his head. "Is that why you suggested this in the first place?"

"A little bit," I nodded. "I do think you work too hard too. But I did think you two would enjoy this time together."

"Alright," he nodded, seeming accepting of my answer. "Although I over heard Yuzu-chan saying something about this being the most romantic day of the year, shouldn't you be doing something with Kurosaki?"

"I am," I nodded. "Plus, this'll be fun. I actually wanted to go ice skating with him anyway. My brother used to take me when I was little."

"What did happen to your brother, I don't think I heard much about him," he said.

"I don't really talk much about him, fact is he disappeared when I was 10 and no one knows what happened to him. My parents have moved on, assumed he's dead, some of my younger siblings don't even really know about him. I think what bothers me most is not knowing for sure of anything. Just knowing something, that would be enough."

"Would it?" He asked. "You might think that now, but when you find out you'll have to learn to cope with that as well."

"I'll keep it in mind," I told him. "Oh, Ichigo seems like he's calmed down, let's go back over to them."

"What were you two off talking about?" Ichigo asked.

"I'm leaving you for him," I replied, not missing a beat. He choked for a second and Hitsugaya seemed reasonably calm.

"Yes," he agreed. "I can provide more financial stability because I'm an established captain of the shinigami forces and have been for many years. Of course that does mean she'll have to move to the soul society with me, but she'll still come and visit her friends."

"What..?" Ichigo looked confused. He choked in surprised earlier, but probably thought it was a joke, but Hitsugaya was being so serious now he wasn't so sure. I tried hard not to laugh at his cute little face.

"It's true, Ichinii," Karin chimed. "I was helping Toshiro pick out rings the other day."

"What!" He pulled back.

"We were talking about my brother you ass," I shoved him and laughed, intertwining our fingers and walking beside him.

"Jesus Toshiro," Ichigo grumbled as he walked beside me with his arms crossed, although still holding tightly to my hand. "You really had me going there for a second. Who knew you were such a good actor."

"I have many talents you don't know about, Kurosaki, and it's Hitsugaya to you," he replied and I chuckled.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Ichigo asked as we skated together, holing hands.

"Knowing your sister, probably soccer," I shrugged. "Stop obsessing over them, this is our date too."

"I'll take you on 1000 dates if you help me stop those two from getting together," he replied.

"You don't really mean that," I smiled softly. "I know it's scary, seeing your little sister, who used to be an 11 year old girl, used to be a tiny baby when you were little, all grown up now, but she is a teenager. She is entitled to her first boyfriend. Just remember, at her age, she's not really interested in all the serious relationship stuff. If they do get together, they'll probably hold hands, maybe, just maybe, kiss on the cheek. If it goes further than that I'll kill him myself."

"She's 14," Ichigo whined.

"I know," I laughed. "And next year she'll be in high school, like you were when all this started."

"Ugh, don't remind me," he groaned.

"Cheer up," I shoved him lightly. "At least your dad isn't giving them condoms."

"DON'T REMIND ME ABOUT THAT EITHER!" He screamed. I burst out laughing as we skated beside each other and tried not to pull him down as I bent over with the pain.

Toshiro POV

"Uo seems to be having a good time," Karin commented as she looked back at her and her brother. "Shame Ichigo is being his usual self."

"She seems to like his usual self," I shrugged. "That's probably why she's having a good time."

"Are you having a good time?" She asked me.

"It's nice to be able to relax from time to time," I told her. "I appreciate you taking me here." I watched her cheeks turn pink and she looked away from me.

"It was nothing," she assured me. "It was Uo's idea anyway, she thought you needed a break."

"But I'm not here skating with her, am I?" I pointed out and her cheeks reddened further. Uotani was right, Karin did seem to like me. But how did I feel about that?

"N-no," she shook her head. "Hey, I bet I can race you round the rink and win!" She pulled a fist down determinedly. I had no doubt she did want to race me, but it was an obvious segue.

"Alright," I smiled. "You're on, just don't come crying to me when I win."

"Oh you think you're going to win, do you?" She countered.

It was okay, I think, if she liked me. I still didn't know how I felt about her, but I knew I liked spending time with her, and I like seeing her smile at me like that.

Main POV

"Looks like they're racing, that's good, competitive Karin isn't thinking about romance," Ichigo commented as he watched the two of them like a hawk.

"Don't even think about challenging me," I warned. "It'd be like Usain Bolt challenging a one legged geriatric to a 100 metre sprint."

"You think you're Usain Bolt do you?" He raised a brow.

"No, I think I'm the handicapped old person," I replied. "And I'm not risking the potential face plant to prove me right. I'll stick to racing ordinary humans I'm on par with. You and your shinigami buddies can occupy yourselves."

"You're boring," he teased. "Live a little, you never know, I might let you win."

"I don't want you to let me win!" I threw my hands up. "If I win I wanna win because I have the skill, because it was all on me. If you let me win it's cheapened."

"Alright, I won't let you win," he replied. "I'll beat you so much that you run home crying and beg me never to race you again."

"No way!" I threw my hands up. "I don't even want to race!"

"Why not, you scared?" He leaned down as he smirked at me.

"No, I'm just not a masochist," I shook my head. "Now, how about instead you come down to my level and kiss me?"

"What?" He asked and I grabbed him by his shirt collar, dragging him down to my height and kissing him. He smiled against my lips and put his hands on my waist, picking me up and holding me at the right height for him to stand. He put me back down a few moments latter and shook his head, ruffling my hair a little as he skated beside me. "You little shit."

"Oh is that your pet name for me now, dummy?" I asked.

"You get to call me dummy," he shrugged.

"What do you say kids, you all tired out now?" I asked as Ichigo and I skated passed Karin and Toshiro.

"KIDS?!" Hitsugaya threw his hands up.

"Hey look, you have the body of a high schooler, that makes me the oldest one here," I shrugged.

"It also makes you a cradle snatcher," Karin pointed out and I laughed.

"It's a two year difference," I shook my head. "Now come on, let's go get some food before I eat your brother."

"Like you could catch me, you slow old lady," Ichigo scoffed and skated over to the exit gate.

"Oh I'll catch you alright," I skated after him.

"Oh yeah?" He asked and skated passed the gate and round the rink again. I chased after him, skating as hard as my little legs would take me. I could tell he was taking leisurely strides with his long legs and letting me catch up a little, but it was the principal. I had to chase him.

"Yeah!" I yelled as I pushed myself harder. "Come here you big dummy!"

"Catch up you little shit!" He yelled back and started skating faster away from me. Damn him. I cut across to the centre of the rink in order to cut some corners, but it only shaved a little off my journey. Damn him. He skated the full way round, making it to the exit gate and leaned against the barrier leisurely. I caught up to him and almost slid past him until he reached out to stop me.

"Took your time," he commented and I punched him in the arm. Jerk.

"Jerk," I said aloud.

"Hey, you were the one who said you wouldn't race me, yet here you are," he shrugged. "You have no one but yourself to blame."

He stepped onto the regular ground and then offered me a hand to help me down off the ice. I accepted it, forgetting our play feud and headed over to the bench Karin and Toshiro were at, already having put their shoes back on. They'd gotten ours, too, I'd noticed. Karin handed me my shoes when I say down and I thanked her with a smile.

"Damn your brother and his 10ft legs," I grumbled and untied my skated.

"I don't see you complaining when you need something from the high shelves," he commented from the other side of Hitsugaya.

"You know what, I'm going to get stuff myself from now on and see how you like not being needed you big tall jerk," I crossed my arms and huffed.

"Oh yeah?" He raised a brow at me. "See how long that lasts, when I start putting everything you need up there on those high shelves."

"Well maybe my new husband Toshiro will get them back down for me," I poked my tongue out, bringing back a joke from earlier.

"Hah! He may have had a growth spurt but he's still no match for my height," Ichigo taunted. "Good luck, I'm still your best choice of boyfriend, you just can't handle it."

"I could always get a third boyfriend," I shrugged. "Taller than the both of you. Let's see, who could I chose?" I pondered, tapping my lip thoughtfully. "Urahara is 6 foot, that's a little taller than you, but he's defiantly too much of a troll to help me get things down from the top shelf, in fact, he'd probably help you put things up there. There's Captain Kyoraku who's probably 6'3" oh I know, Kenpachi's about 6'7", he can be boyfriend number 3."

"NO WAY!" Ichiigo yelled. "He'd kill boyfriend number 1 and 2. You can't date him!"

"Why's that such a bad thing?" I shrugged. "He's already getting me the things I need from the high shelf, what use do I have for you two anymore?"

"I bring other things to this relationship!" Ichigo argued. "I also protect you from hollows."

"Kenpachi would take pleasure in doing that, he loves killing things," I told him.

"Well yeah but.."

"She's got you there Kurosaki," Hitsugaya pointed out. "I guess I'm looking for a new girlfriend. We had a good run Uo. Best wishes to you and your new beau. I hope he reaches to new heights and kills lots of things for you."

"Alright," I sighed getting to the front door of my apartment and kicking off my shoes. "What a day, huh?"

"You're telling me," Karin sighed as she kicked off her shoes beside me and wandered inside to the couch. "The ice skating was fun but I hate to say it, maybe the soccer after lunch was a bad idea," she slumped down onto the sofa.

"Now I know you're ill," Hitsugaya wandered in after her. "Kurosaki, we need to take your sister to a doctor."

"What got into you Karin, not as fit as you used to be, huh?" Ichigo laughed. "Maybe you need to spend less time playing video games and go outside and train more."

He stopped by the door to kiss me lightly before he also went over to the sofa. I closed the door behind everyone and headed over to the kitchen to make everyone some tea after the energetic day we had. I started boiling the water when I heard a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," I called out as Ichigo looked at the front door. I walked straight up to the door and pulled it open revealing the weird old man from yesterday standing there in the same robes. There was a stench that permitted the air and I felt the same uncomfortable, bad, feeling as I starred at him. I was so distracted with today I didn't even think to look through the peep hole first.

"You," he pointed at me, raspy voice of a chain smoker croaking and crackling as he spoke. "Did you think you could hide from me, girl?"

"What?" I asked. He reached out to grab my wrist and I screamed.

"UO!" Ichigo yelled and leapt up from the couch, running over.

"Get off me," I swung a punch like Renji had taught me and wrestled my arm free. I stumbled backwards just as Ichigo got over to us.

"Hey, you! What's the matter with you?" Ichigo yelled at the stinky, old man.

"Sai!" He yelled and Ichigo dropped to the ground beside me like a sack of potatoes.

"Not this again," he groaned on the floor. "YOU STAY AWAY FROM HER OLD MAN!"

"Give it back," the old man demanded from me. He made a grab for me just as Toshiro came back into view, Karin was gone, he must have stashed her away someplace safe. I dodged the swipe and jumped passed him, having to go outside to avoid him. I let out a scream as he grabbed for me again. I banged on Keigo's front door as I passed it, stumbling backwards away from the guy.

"Do you think you can keep it from me?!" He demanded, shoving at me. I tripped and fell on my ass just after Keigo's doormat. "GIVE IT BACK!" He roared.

"Give what back!?" I cried out just as Keigo's apartment door flew opened and Ikkaku and Yumichika hurtled out decked outing full shinigami gear. Hitsugaya was standing behind the old guy and with Ikkaku and Yumichika in front of him, he had no where to run and no way of getting to me. I pushed myself up and looked to the side. Keigo was standing in the doorway, reaching out to me. I took his arm and he pulled me inside to relative safety while this shinigami face down was going on. I did wonder what this crazy old man thought I had taken.

"I'll get it from you eventually, girl, don't think you can hide behind your friends for long," he warned and in disappeared in the blink of an eye, right in front of all of us.

"What the fuck was that?" I asked after a few moments of silence.

"You're telling me," Keigo agreed. "See, hollows I'm used to. The occasional god tier butterfly guy maybe, but what the hell did that smelly old man want with you?"

"You're asking me?" I looked back at him. "I have no idea."

"Uo!" Ichigo called. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," I called back. "I'm with Keigo, I'm fine. You figure out how to break out of that kido, yet?"

"I can break it," Hitsugaya said after a few moments of thought. "Ikkaku, call everyone together, we're having a meeting in Uo's apartment."

"Well, see you I guess," I waved to Keigo.

"Yeah, see ya," he shook his head. "Leave me out of this one."

I walked out of his apartment and back out onto the balcony, headed for the safety of my own apartment. I walked passed Ichigo on the floor with Hitsugaya crouched next to him and headed for my bedroom.

"Karin," I called out. "You alright?"

"Yeah," she called from what sounded like the bathroom. "Is it safe to come out?" She asked.

"Yeah," I agreed. "Confrontation's over."

I heard the door unlock and she stepped out, looking worried. I pulled her in for a hug, knowing she wasn't much of a hugger but also knowing she looked like she needed one. She didn't protest as I wrapped her in my arms, instead she leaned against me and held me back gently. I put a hand on her head and cradled her crown as I hugged her for a few more moments before pulling away.

"Don't worry, this doesn't normally happen in this neighbourhood," I joked and she laughed.

"I should hope not, otherwise you got jibbed on this crappy apartment," she told me.

"Yeah, I'd have to have to have a word with the agent otherwise," I agreed and went to turn the boiling water off. I started making extra cups of tea for our new guests and distributing them out. "So much for a romantic day," I said and she agreed.

"Although, I guess it's pretty normal for life with Ichigo," she commented and I chuckled.

"One day he just brought home an 11 year old dressed in a high school uniform, she turned out to be some princess or something from the seireitei and Ichigo was her bodyguard for a while," she told me. Which meant I now knew another arch that was cannon in this particular universe. I was hoping the zanpakuto escaping from their owner's souls arch wasn't real here. That one was the worst.

"Sounds like him," I laughed.