Karin walked through the halls of Haru baa-chan's house after being let in by her. Hitsugaya was staying with her while he searched for... whatever it was he was searching for. Haru baa-chan looked at her with concern as she walked into the house and Karin immediately knew something was wrong with him.

She opened the door and found Hitsugaya pacing around his room, muttering something about something being stupid and not working. "... Hitsugaya?"

He paused to look up at her before decidedly ignoring her and sitting back down to observe his notes and papers strewn all over the ground. Karin sighed before stepping inside, sliding the door closed after her. "I'll never find him like this, this is stupid!" Hitsugaya hissed.

"... maybe take a break?" Karin suggested

"Bullshit!" Karin blinked at Hitsugaya in shock. Hitsugaya was never really one to outright swear. "I need to find him."

Karin huffed. "I brought watermelon." She opened her bag and pulled out a large container containing cut watermelon before kneeling on the floor and placing it in front of him. "I know it's your favourite... and it should help with the cravings."

"Not now, Kurosaki." He said as he focused on his work

"... Haru baa-chan said you've been holed up in here since yesterday." Karin walked around to pick the papers all over and bring it in front of him. "And maybe your plans would make more sense if you had everything together." She said.

"You're disrupting me." He hissed

"It's not like you were going to be productive anyways," She said and it set something off.

"And how the fuck is that any of your business?" He yelled and Karin blinked in shock at his tone. This time, he realised that he had just crossed a line before muttering another swear under his breath. "I... I didn't mean..."

Karin said nothing before crawling over to him, almost sitting on him, and slapping him, much to his surprise. She grabbed him by the collar and pulled him threateningly close. "If. You. Need. One. That. Much. Just. Take. It! Just remember, you stopped for a reason. If you want to keep using it as a crutch then go ahead... but no one said this was going to be easy."

"I know—"

"And don't take your anger out on me. I didn't force you to do anything. Be glad I brought you watermelon and actually cut it." She hissed before letting go of him. "Yell at me again and I will bite you."

He blinked at her before laughing at her, causing her to look confused. "Are you threatening me with a good time?" Now Karin was genuinely shocked and her face turned red with embarrassment while he laughed but she would not let him get satisfaction at her expense.

So she planted herself on top of him and he stopped laughing, trying to maintain balance and placing his hands on her hips. "What? Not funny anymore?" She whispered into his ear and he was visibly uncomfortable.

"We shouldn't... be doing this." He shook his head and Karin turned to face him, bumping her nose against his. She didn't know why her first thought was to do this but now she was too close to him, so much so that she could feel his breath on her skin. "I don't..." His voice admittedly sounding lower than usual. "I'm sorry. I... was only joking. I'm not in a good head space right now."

"I can see that." She said, but she also could not resist looking at him and she meant really looking at him. She knew he was conventionally attractive. That much was obvious... but it never really phased her until now. Sachiko always insisted that she had a massive crush but Karin never believed that... for the most part. She simply enjoyed his company... what made him any different than her other male friends other than the fact that he annoyed her less? "But it's not fun when you're on the receiving end, huh? So keep your horny ass thoughts to yourself and take off your shirt."

Hitsugaya blinked at her in confusion. "Excuse me?"

"I got you nicotine patches to help with the withdrawal symptoms." She said as she pulled away slightly, turned around and pulled her backpack over, reaching inside for a small box that she showed him. "They're effective... especially with the mood swings. You just stick them on your arm and go on with your day. It'll slowly wean you off your tobacco use by diffusing small amounts of nicotine in your bloodstream. I had a feeling you smoked less than 10 a day so I got a lower dosage because a dosage too high could cause relapse."

Hitsugaya nodded before taking off his shirt as Karin fumbled with the box. "Thank you... for looking out for me." Karin's lips quirked in a smile as she continues to fiddle with the box.

"Normally I would ask if you have any diseases but you said those are rare in Soul Society but do you have any skin allergies?" She looked up and found herself staring. It's not like abs or a toned body was something she found inherently attractive, she was around that shit everyday. She had them. But what caught her attention was the scars all over him; a mixture of newer lacerations and old, closed wounds.

"I don't," he answered, averting his eyes elsewhere until she was done.

"I thought Kaido healed wounds." Karin said as she leaned forward and placed the patch on his upper arm.

"It does but the scars never go away." He said

"Hmm..." Karin hummed in understanding but her focus was taken away by a large scar he had on the side of his ribs. "What happened here?" She ran her fingers along it and he shuddered. That brought her to the realisation that she crossed a line. "Sorry... I..." She tried to pull away but Hitsugaya was quick to stopping her and pulling her closer. She couldn't even protest because some part of her was giddy and was hoping something to happen.

"You're not making this any easier." He said and Karin stared at him before leaning forward and pressing her forehead against his. "You really aren't making this any easier." He repeated.

"... I don't know what this is supposed to mean." She said

"That we should stop here. Before things go too far." Look He said. "It's too complicated."

"... you're right." She said. "I'll keep my horny ass to myself."

"You don't want to make it easier, do you?" He asked and Karin laughed before pulling away and crawling back over to where she left the watermelon.

"Just remember that this doesn't mean I'm attracted to you."

"Really?" Hitsugaya scoffed as he put his shirt back on

"You don't have any effect on me, chibi grandpa. It's just the effect a warm body has on every individual..." Karin said before opening the container. "Watermelon?"

"Effect..." Hitsugaya paused as he looked through his papers

"You want watermelon or not?" Karin held the lunch box and shook it to try and gain his attention but he continued shuffling through the pages.

"When... you sensed those presences, where were you?" He asked

"Hmm? The one by the field, I was playing soccer nearby. The one by the bay... I was at the bay." She said

"And you felt a strange presence at the library once?" He asked and she nodded. "You figured it out?"

"I... don't think you're going to like the answer." He said and she sighed.

"Lay it on me."

"The hollow I'm hunting in question is attracted to high reiatsu possessed by non reapers." He said. "And the fact that you have been the only one to pinpoint where it is makes me conclude that it's attracted to you."

"All I wanted was to bring watermelon!"

Karin did not know why these memories went through her mind but not that he was talking to her and she could hear his voice, she just realised that she missed him and how much he meant to her.

Hitsugaya knew he shouldn't have stayed on the line with her as long as he did, but he did anyways and it was too late for him to do anything about it. The banter just continued as they had a mindless chat for a while, tradin anecdotes, jokes and cheap shots for teasing purposes. It was an ease he had not felt in a long time.

But he was brought back to reality soon by Matsumoto coming to look for him.

Sometimes, he wondered why she only behaved as a lieutenant should when he specifically needed time to himself. "Taichō!" She called out as she approached down the path. "You're late!"

Hitsugaya huffed, partly in annoyance and partly in embarrassment. Karin laughed at the sound of his predicament over the hell butterfly. "Need I remind you you're supposed to be in school?" Karin immediately silenced herself.

"Are you on a call?" Matsumoto asked quietly and Hitsugaya nodded but decided it was time

"I should get going." He said

"Me too." Karin sighed. "Thanks... for being there."

"You're welcome." He said. "And I know... but maybe when you're ready, you could read the letter?"

"I will, I promise. I want you to know the whole truth but please give me time." She said

"Focus on getting well first." Hitsugaya said.

"... I..." Karin stopped, as if debating whether to say it. "I really wish you were here."

"... I'll talk to you later." He said and she agreed, ending the communication.

"Was that Karin-chan?" Matsumoto asked

"Ah." He affirmed before standing up and grabbing his zanpakutō. "Sorry, it was a sudden call."

"It's okay... so, how is she?"

"She can talk so we're making progress." He said as he stood up, hanging the zanpakutō from his back. There was no need for him to do that because his zanpakutō was no more longer than he was but it was a habit to reach to his back than for his side. "Matsumoto, you're in charge of the division today."

"Eh? What about what the sōtaichō told us yesterday?"

"We'll discuss that with everyone else tomorrow. Besides, today is training drills... and I want it done effectively." He said.

"Taichō!" Matsumoto called out before he could leave. "Is there... anything you'd like to share?"

"... not at the moment." He said before flash stepping away.

So... what next? Hyōrinmaru asked

Are you going to tell me anything about your ownership? Hitsugaya asked

I know as much as you do. He replied

Then we go look for answers. Tōshirō said. We already know there's two of you and we already know that the plan is being orchestrated by victims of failed executions.

So you truly do think he did it. Hyōrinmaru hummed

I'd have to prove he is alive first.

I really wish you were here... What possessed her to say that? While it was true, there were so many more things she could have said. She could have told him the truth — a half truth of a larger memory she could barely remember but the truth nonetheless. He deserved as much especially since he believes that he is at fault.

Karin had eventually made it to school with these thoughts plaguing her head. She arrived two hours late and the teacher chewed her out but she didn't care. She could barely focus on school work. Karin kept her head down and drew in her sketchbook to keep her mind preoccupied.

"Whatchu drawing?" Ryohei turned to Karin who looked up at him for a split second only to turn her attention back to her notebook. Ryohei frowned. "You've been acting weird since you came back. Makes me wonder if we did something wrong."

Karin said nothing in reply. There was nothing to say because she couldn't offer them an explanation that made sense. Midori came burst in with her bag and dumped goodies on Ryohei's desk. It's lunch time... Karin frowned, realising she didn't notice time move either. Midori, who was always on lunch duty excited as per usual, returned with their snacks for the day. Karin didn't make an effort to move. She wasn't hungry anyways.

Their friend group started to slowly join and eventually, Kei and Yuzu were there... more reason for Karin to ignore them. "Rin-chan, aren't you going to eat something?" Midori asked.

"Leave it, Midori." Kazuya mentioned as he read manga. "She's probably not hungry."

"But she hasn't been speaking to us." Midori pouted before turning to Yuzu who shrugged quietly. "The two of you are so weird today."

"Anyways, my parents are out of town this weekend." Heita said. "They're going to Kagoshima to visit relatives. You guys can come over if you like."

"You? Invite friends over?" Ryohei wondered dramatically

"Don't you have cram school on Saturdays?" Kazuya asked

"I'm not going." Heita shrugged

"Then it sounds like a plan." Kei nodded. "I'm in."

"Me too!" Midori mused happily. "Kyōko?"

Kyōko shrugged. "I have no plans."

"Why not?" Kazuya said nonchalantly as he read his manga.

"You don't need to ask me twice." Ryohei said

"And? What about you two?" Heita turned the twins

Karin looked at Yuzu in the corner of her eye and Yuzu smiled uncomfortably. "Well... I'm interested in coming." Heita turned to Karin.

"No." Karin simply said and Heita frowned.

"If you're sure." He said

Kei sighed. "You don't have to be so rude about it." He scratched the back of his neck. "Karin, I know you're going through a tough time right by now but we're here for you. You don't have to ice us out."

Karin scoffed. "So she told you?"

Now everyone else was confused except Kei, Yuzu and Karin. "... a bit." Kei admitted

"Gee, I wonder what version she told you." Karin said. "She's not exactly honest, now is she?"

"Karin!" Kei reprimanded her and Karin looked up at her sister directly.

"Well? What version did you tell him? The one where you're the hero you always dreamed of being?" She asked

"Ka—" Yuzu swallowed heavy. "I know you're angry... but now isn't the time nor place."

"But I want it to be." Karin said. "I want our friends to hear about how amazing and brave you are. Isn't that what you want?"

"... are they fighting?" Midori whispered to Heita who was closest to her

"I... think so?" Heita asked, confused himself because the twins never fight.

"Karin..." Yuzu breathed heavily. "Calm down..."

"Or what?" She asked, narrowing her eyes at her and Yuzu averted her eyes. "Of course. Fucking pathetic as usual." She turned back to her notebook.

"Karin, that's enough." Kei reprimanded her.

"Aww, getting your fuck buddy to fight your battles for you when you get backed into a corner." Karin sneered and Ryohei choked on his milk. Even Kazuya couldn't mask the shock on his face as he looked up from the comic book with wide eyes. This was escalating to a place that they barely understood but it was bound to be trouble.

Karin closed her notebook and packed up her book bag before turning to Yuzu. "Since you won't say anything, let me make myself clear. You are a vapid bitch and I'm floored that you are my sister at that. You're vain, hollow and disgusting and I hope you fucking choke. I don't care if anyone sees me as the bad guy... In fact it is better for you that way to hold on to your meek, cutesy little façade. So sit here and cry while being comforted in a space that I created and I will bow out peacefully. So congratulations on getting what you want: your prize is your fucking funeral because you're dead to me." She stood up, grabbing her book bag and walking out of the classroom.

Karin felt hot, filled with red rage as she stomped through the halls. She eventually found the staircase to the roof and went up, sitting down once she outside. It was cold but it helped to calm her down. Your anger is self destructive. The voice in her head noted but Karin ignored it. It was the first time she heard it in weeks. Your insides are rotting... and not from the anger.

Karin ignored it before letting herself cool off, looking at the city in the distance. How did she end up here? How was she in the lowest place she had ever been in with no one she could trust around her? Her mind only floated back to Hitsugaya — the only person that actively sought for her safety in this whole ordeal who she pushed away. I didn't know... she told herself. She couldn't blame herself for being fearful.

She reached into her book bag and pulled out the folded parchment paper, held together by a red wax seal with the insignia of a daffodil shaped into its centre.

"Never took you for a tattoo guy." Karin said as she drew her fingers gingerly over the image on his shoulder.

Tōshirō, who was almost half asleep next to her opened an eye to look at her, somewhat annoyed that she interrupted his nap. She was drawing next to him as he slept on her bed and the shihakusho probably moved down as he rolled around. Karin was shocked by how much this guy liked to sleep. It was like with Sachiko who was most likely sleeping anytime Karin called at any time of the day. The fact that he was comfortable enough to take his midday nap on her bed spoke volumes on the state of their relationship. "You can see it?" He asked

"What? Was it made using invisible ink or something?" She asked jokingly

"It's not supposed to be visible." He said, both eyes open now but he shifted his body to lie completely on his back and stare at the ceiling. "It's a spiritual limiter."

"Huh? Is it supposed to limit the amount of spiritual pressure you are allowed to use?" She asked, inching closer as if to lie on top of him, particularly interested in the drawing on his chest.

"Correct..." Hitsugaya drawled, partly out of tiredness and partly out of confusion. "... how did you guess that?"

"It only makes sense in that context when I think of it." Karin said. "So you're a lot more powerful than what I've seen?"

"Technically. I'm only allowed to use around 20% when I'm here. Of course the limit varies by class, rank and experience." He explained.

"An 80% limiter is a lot." Karin thought, imagining how powerful he was and how he got to that level at such a young age only to realise that he is not done developing his power yet. Just how powerful were shinigami allowed to be? "The least they could have done is make them look nicer." She wondered absent-mindedly, poking at the drawing. Now Hitsugaya was utterly lost and Karin laughed at him before moving closer to inspect it. "Is it supposed to be a... flower of sorts?"

"A daffodil." He said. "It signifies mystery and egoism."

"... you really took that and embodied that, huh?" She asked and he fully turned to her, as if to motion that she had his full attention. "You always talk about puzzles and how every single person fits somewhere and has a rule of their own. The idea that one person has a purpose that only they can fulfil from their own motivation."

"And the mystery?"

"Just you being an insufferable, quiet prick." She said and Hitsugaya kissed his teeth in annoyance, turning back around for his back to face her and Karin pouted before lightly punching his back. "Don't be angry at me for being honest."

"Your honesty is unsettling... and vulgar." He said.

"Would you prefer me any other way?" She asked

"Honestly... no, because I would know the world is ending the day you do the exact opposite." Karin poked him and he chuckled lightly.

"You have jokes." She huffed in annoyance before they settled in silence. "... I never said it wasn't endearing." She said. "Your belief that everyone has a purpose that's tailor made. You know, I was thinking of getting a dragon tattooed... and I took inspiration from Hyorinmaru or at least every time I draw a dragon it looks like Hyorinmaru."

"Any particular reason why?"

"I just like how he looks." Karin said. "And what dragons stand for: strength, resilience... things that I kind of admire off of you. But there are certainly things you lack that the dragon symbolises, like balance."

He turned around to face her again. "Being me, you can't really afford to be 'balanced'... being the tiniest and youngest person in the ranks for the longest time shaped my perspective. Having to overcome so many obstacles and prove everyone else wrong. I had to push myself but as soon as I became a commanding officer, I had to push everyone else the same."

"It paid off though... but at what cost?" Karin said. "I think it is something to take pride in but let's not lie... this has left you fucked up in more ways than one." Hitsugaya chuckled.

"In my opinion, I think I've gotten better at the balance thing." He said

"And what makes you say that?" She asked

"I'm here even though I shouldn't be." He said. "I'm not sure if that says much but..." He paused

"Baby steps?" She offered

"Baby steps." He agreed.

Karin grew weary of these memories because they filled her with grief. It was hard enough to confront them when she was with her aunt during therapy. It only made her remember how she was deceived and hoodwinked. But she had to remember what happened to her to get to the bottom of this.

She opened the seal before she could regret it and was immediately hit with his penmanship. It was too neat and precise... almost like a child's which made her laugh. He always complained about how ineligible her writing was. But her mirth disappeared after reading the first line.

I'm sorry.

Karin felt a stream of something gushing out of her nose and she reached for a tissue in her book bag, knowing for certain it was blood. What is going on? Karin demanded from Angetsu and her world fade and she was faced with her Angetsu, still trapped in his cage. I'm dying, aren't I?

You have kept me sealed away with an extraordinary amount of power... a power that requires control and mastery. That alters your mind, body and soul. You need to let me out or you'll die. Angetsu snickered but the lack of silence on her end was concerning. Are you not afraid of death? No reply. Did you hear me! If you can't control the power, the power will destroy you from the inside out! Angetsu hissed. Your time is ticking!

"... so it's over then..." Karin said. "This is the end."

And just like that... Karin stopped hearing Angetsu's voice.