Chapter 5- High School Graduation

Karin had allowed her sister to pick out her clothes but she was quite picky about her hair and not wanting make-up. Her hair was down but in the back there were two braids and at the end of those braids were purple rings tied at the ends. Her outfits consisted of a long and elegant gown its color was black with a halter top cut straps of beautiful glass green wrapped around her arms off her shoulders. A silver broach at the center of her chest where the straps met with a purple gem in the center, Karin decided letting her sister put a light shimmer on her eyes.

"Hey Yuzu, how do I look?" Karin asked as she turned around. Her hair landing softly at her knees as she glanced at her sister who wore a pink gown with brown and white trim.

Her strawberry twin smiled her pigtails curling around her arms. "Karin you look gorgeous! I know for a fact the guys are going to keel over in shock." She turned away to mutter, "Especially Muramasa-san…he will die of shock at her beauty!" She continued muttering to herself not realizing her sister had heard every word.

Karin just blushed and looked at the mirror in shock, 'Could Muramasa really find me attractive in this?' She had not thought of him in a romantic regard at first but, as time passed his gentlemanly ways warmed her tomboyish heart. As the year passed while she still played her sports with him watching in the crowd alongside her friends and family she had begun to wear clothes that looked more feminine. Yuzu had of course been ecstatic and asked Muramasa when we were getting married.

'I wasn't able to look him in the eye for a week after that fiasco.'

"Karin Yuzu, you girls ready yet?" Isshin called from downstairs. They quickly slipped on their yellow gowns over their dresses before heading downstairs to the others. As the school year went by the Soul Society had sent Byakuya to train Karin. He also would be training her when I came back for college. He was here and Karin felt proud. He not only got to see her succeed in his world but, also he got to share the triumph of her world too.

Yuzu giggled seeing the blush on her face while smirking at Byakuya who had a knowing glint in his eyes. "Isn't her look perfect?" Yuzu asked smartly while Ichigo just gaped in shock from next to Rangiku, Haineko, and Muramasa who all looked impressed.

"Karin-chan you are absolutely adorable just look at you!" Rangiku squealed happily. Haineko winked before going back to talking to Muramasa. Well if talking is what you would call hanging off him and purring. Muramasa looked down in disdain not even noticing the barely hidden rage on Karin's face as she glared daggers into Haineko's back. 'Why the hell does she keep hanging off my Muramasa like that?'

Byakuya looked annoyed at the zanpakto as Rangiku failed to get her off. "Haineko remove yourself from Muramasa's person. He does not appreciate it nor does anyone else here." His cold gaze shocked the cat girl into hopping off laughing nervously as Muramasa's gaze towards the stoic man was grateful.

Muramasa then let his gaze travel back to Karin who was glaring death itself at the feline. 'What has her so angry?' He knew he could tap into their bond and find out but he also made a promise not to peek into her mind today. She never broke her words to him by treating him as an equal and so he would not do so to her.

Karin continued glaring until her sister tapped her shoulder and she looked back. Yuzu whispered, "Relax, even Muramasa's going to get suspicious if you keep that up." Karin just blushed and looked to her teacher for help who just raised an eyebrow a smirk pulling at his lips.

"You do look nice today Karin." Muramasa's gentle voice said making her blush even more while whispering a shy thank you. Muramasa smiled, "What has you so quiet? Normally you are more like a tempest…today you've suddenly become a mouse." Karin went from blushing to fuming as she began running after a playful Muramasa out the front door to the lawn.

"I'll show you a mouse Muramasa! Just hold still!" Karin yelled as she struggled to run in the robe and heels she was wearing for today's ceremony. Muramasa chuckled before responding, "Where's the fun in that. We aren't the type of people who give up Karin." He went back into the house before sitting on the couch only to catch a tripping Karin as she came after him. She just glared softly at his smirking face before pouting, "Yeah, yeah I know…damn heels from hell make running impossible." She growled out as she tried to remove them.

"Karin Amalia Kurosaki you will keep those shoes on!" Yuzu said sternly as her sister glared back, "Don't you give me that look it's only for one day! You can wear the damn shoes." Karin's glare faded as she gave a grimace, "Yuzu, that's what you said last time for prom, and the time before that for homecoming." Ichigo just started cracking up, "You know she will never stop Karin so just give up while you're ahead."

Byakuya said sternly, "Karin, you will show pride as one trained by the Kuchiki clan should. Stop complaining." Karin just sighed before looking at Byakuya, "Easy for you to say…you never have to wear these demon shoes. Toe pinching, skin ripping, and blister making shoes from hell." Retsu looked on in sympathy, "I know it's painful Karin-chan but, you look beautiful wearing those shoes. I can heal the injuries you receive later today if you like."

Muramasa looked at the blue eyed captain, "That would be perfect. The healing process after prom took quite some time and left Karin miserable." The squad 4 captain just smiled. "It's not a problem Karin is a kind and wonderful girl. She does these things for her sister and hardly enjoys it just for her love to her sister. It is a loving bond which I sometimes envy."

Isshin just had tears in his eyes as he looked at his tomboy daughter before latching on to the poster of Masaki. "OH Masaki, a miracle of feminine beauty has completely emerged from the bosom of our tomboyish daughter! Soon I know she will know the love of a man and true feminine passion." He continued ranting as everyone turned to look at Karin with suppressed laughter before watching her take off a shoe.

"Damn you Goat Face!" Karin yelled as she hit his head with the shoe continuously as she ranted, "Why the hell do you go and say shit like that! I swear no matter what even the slightest change in my clothes and you go berserk! Now instead of just doing it when it's only family now you had to go and do it in front of everyone? What the hell is your problem?"

Yuzu and Ichigo just grinned at each other before announcing that it was time to leave. "Graduation time Karin, we got to go." Yuzu said happily, "Especially if you want your surprise to stay one." Karin grinned before heading out the front door dragging her dad along by his ear.

=Graduation Honors Ceremony=

All the other graduates had been given their diplomas and seated only ten remained. Karin among them while Yuzu had been part of the other group of classmates beaming with pride at her twins accomplishments.

"Ame, Biyoshi… Koto, Seguya…and finally as number one in the Karakura High Honors class with the highest exam scores in history Kurosaki, Karin!" Karin was ecstatic at the proud looks in the crowd especially Muramasa's keeping her joy from him about it had been difficult but, his proud smile was worth it. Her dad and brother tearing with amazement and pride as they clapped and whistled, Byakuya just nodded knowingly with a small smile that he gave when Karin proved her worth.

She walked up to her school's dean who was beaming with pride at the young woman's accomplishments. "Well done Miss Kurosaki, you have risen far above expectation into one of the elite. I know the Ivy Leagues would be pleased to have you. If you ever need a letter of recommendation certainly come to me." Karin smiled and nodded, "I just may take you up on that offer."

As she retrieved her diploma she went to sit next to her sister who hugged her with happy tears trailing down her face. "We did it Karin, we finished high school and we'll be off to college in the fall!" Yuzu said happily. "Yeah Yuzu, we did it and now Ichigo can be proud of us both."

As the ceremony began wrapping up the sister's walked together outside before throwing up their hats in front of the group along with their gowns. Ichigo laughed loudly and caught them, "Man girls eager much?" Karin and Yuzu just grinned at each other before tackling their brother to the ground laughing. "Eager to take you down a peg, "Yuzu stated, "Or two!" Karin added with a smirk.

Karin and Yuzu picked themselves off their brother with matching grins as they walked past their brother to the others everyone able to see their clothing underneath. Muramasa couldn't take his eyes off Karin much to everyone else's amusement except Haineko. After seeing the teens blush and shy smile though she sighed before saying, "I'm going to find Kazeshini…maybe he'll play with me." She couldn't help but, smile as Rangiku gave her a proud and thankful grin.

Byakuya, Retsu, Yumichika, and Isshin looked at each other. "So, who believes these two beautiful people will be together before the end of the summer?" Yumichika asked as a bet, "I think it will be within the first 3 weeks of summer." Retsu added with a smile. "I think it will be the 8th week." Isshin bet thinking about her shyness and lack of experience. Byakuya just stood there staring at their expectant expressions, "I am certain that the 6th week of summer is when they will officially come together as a couple. I have watched the progress of their relationship while training with them up to this point."

"Hmm… I don't know about that Byakuya-san, after all Karin is very fond of Muramasa-san I think she will work up the courage to say it sooner. I say the 4th week of summer." Yuzu pitched in making Rangiku squeal.

Muramasa and Karin were talking as they continued walking behind the others. Muramasa noticed the grimace on her face and asked softly, "Would it be easier if I carried you Karin?" Karin just grinned, her cheeks tinged pink, "N-no that's not needed…I wouldn't want you to worry about me." Muramasa quirked an eyebrow in question, "I would worry less if I couldn't tell your feet were hurting Karin. I will carry you." He lifted her up quickly causing her to squeak in embarrassment.

Yuzu turned to see Muramasa carrying Karin, "Awww! So cute! Who has the camera?" She said looking around until there was a flash. Isshin grinned waving the camera in the air, "Finally my sweet child has been swept up into the arms of a man truly devoted to lov- AH!" Ichigo kicked him in the head stealing the camera saying, "Not it off! Could you be anymore awkward?" Captain Retsu took the camera and continued taking photos of the group as they traveled back to the residence so Karin could change her shoes before dinner.

Muramasa had a blush on his face not knowing how to react to his partner's father. 'How she deals with him on a regular basis, I will never know.' His thoughts trailed back to his partner. 'She does look radiant today though…I wonder why she never dresses like. It really suits her.' He smiled down as his blush faded at Karin. Her blush still evident on her face, 'I also wonder why she hides so many of her emotions…she only ever shows friendship, embarrassment, or anger. I don't think I've ever seen her cry.'

Karin looked up at Muramasa who was holding her gently as he set her down on the couch for Retsu to look at her feet. As she relaxed against the healing treatment she couldn't help but, wonder what Muramasa was thinking. Now that the surprise was over she wanted to replace the connection but, she knew Muramasa promised her a day of separation so that the surprise for him wouldn't be ruined. 'It's so odd and lonely not having him in my mind…I've gotten used to feeling him there that being separate now makes me uncomfortable.' She glanced at the puzzled look on his face similar to the one he had worn when he visited her mother's grave with the family.

'I guess we will just have to see what tomorrow brings.' Karin thought as everyone filed out for the night to dinner before bed.