Author's Note:
Hey everybody, and Happy New Year! It's hard to believe we're in 2023 already…man, time goes by so fast! I decided to write something for the new year (I apologize that it's over a week late), so here's another installment for the From Time to Time one-shot collection.
I'm almost finished with all of the rough drafts for my new multi-chapter HitsuKarin story, and just need to proof-read them afterwards. I'm thinking I'll be posting the first chapter by no later than the end of January, but we'll have to wait and see. Wish me luck, as I try to hammer out the last couple of chapters!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy, and don't forget to review!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. All credit goes to Tite Kubo.
"Karin, are you ready to go?! Ichi, Orihime, and Tatsuki are here!" Yuzu yelled from inside the living room; wearing a red fringe dress, red high heels, a gold bangle, gold and ruby earrings, and a gold necklace with a ruby drop; her hair lightly curled, and pinned back on one side by her signature strawberry clips.
"Yeah, I'm coming!" her sister hollered back; running out of her room in a shiny, silver, strapless minidress, black high heels, and a silver choker and bracelet; her spiky hair hanging loose down her back and over her shoulders, and her eyes adorned with a sultry smokey-grey eyeshadow.
Isshin had taken Kazui over to a friend's house for a sleepover, so the remaining adults had decided to make an outing out of their free time, and go to a nightclub to ring in the new year with their friends. Ichigo had made a flurry of phone calls to her, Yuzu, Tatsuki, Uryu, Mizuiro, Keigo, Kisuke, Yoruichi, Ururu, and Jinta to find out if they were free; and everyone said that they were. They all agreed to go to the local club to dance and drink the night away, and Ichigo had even called Rukia and Renji to ask them if they would come, and bring some of the other Shinigami with them. Rukia had loved the idea, and forced Renji into agreeing to come with her; promising that she would make some quick calls of her own, and meet everyone at the club.
As the Kurosaki twins grabbed their coats, left their apartment building, and got into the car with everyone else, Ichigo pulled out of the parking lot; and Karin felt a surge of excitement shoot through her veins. 'Man, I haven't seen anyone from the Soul Society for ten years, except for Rukia, Renji, and Toshiro. It'll be great to see some old faces again' she thought to herself as a small half-smile made its way onto her face while she stared out the window of the car; watching the lit-up buildings pass by as they drove further and further down the road. Over the years since the end of the Thousand Year Blood War, Rukia and Renji tried to make annual visits to see Ichigo, so she and Yuzu had been able to keep in touch with the Abarais that way; and Toshiro came around during his three or four vacations every year to hang out with her, and check in on Karakura. They'd formed a strong friendship over the years, but Karin saw him as much more than a friend. She figured that he would never care about her the same way she cared about him, but she was glad to have him around, all the same. They were best friends, and that in and of itself was very valuable to her. 'I wonder if Rukia will invite him tonight? He was just here for the week leading up to Christmas, so I doubt it; but you never know' she thought, as they pulled into the parking lot of the club.
Getting out of the car, they walked up to the bouncer, gave them their coats, and were shown in. The room was dark, but the lighting effects were spectacular. Given that it was eight o'clock at night, there were quite a few people on the dancefloor; many of them already slightly tipsy, and making trips back and forth to the bar for refills.
'Speaking of the bar' Ichigo thought as he looked over to it to find Rukia waving at them excitedly. Beside her and Renji were Ikkaku, Yumickika, Shunsui, Shinji, Hiyori, Shuhei, Lisa, Momo, Izuru, and Rangiku; as well as all of their friends. Smiling, and waving back, Ichigo brought everyone over to the large group, and they all greeted Orihime, before exclaiming how grown up the two Kurosaki girls were now. Rangiku, who was wearing a very low-cut mid-high green sequin dress, gave Karin and Yuzu a suffocating hug, and looked them both up and down; a cat-like grin on her face. "Yuzu, you look beautiful, as always; and Karin, when did you get so damn sexy? I remember you as a little kid, running around on the soccer field, but look at you now; a grown woman who could clearly have any man she wanted." the vivacious lieutenant said; her face sporting a look of mischievousness that Karin noticed immediately.
Smirking back at the bubbly blonde, the raven-haired Kurosaki put a hand on her hip. "I know I can't have any man that I want, Rangiku; but thanks for the compliment, all the same. It's good to see you; it's been forever. How are things with you and Shuhei?" she asked; transferring her smirk from the beautiful blonde to the handsome lieutenant at her side; Shuhei blushing as Rangiku took his hand, and pressed herself into his side with a smile on her face. "We're doing awesome, thank you; Shuhei's very attentive and obliging."
Karin couldn't help laughing along with everyone else as the poor 9th division lieutenant's face went completely red, and he started spluttering that it wasn't like how his girlfriend was insinuating.
It took a few minutes for everyone to quiet down again, but when they did, Karin looked at Rangiku again; a question in her face. "Did Toshiro come too, or is the poor bastard buried in paperwork, like usual?" she asked; following Rangiku's gaze as the bubbly blonde gave her a knowing smirk, and nodded her head in the direction of the wall off to the side of the bar. Karin looked, and, there, leaning back against it, was the 10th division captain; turquoise eyes staring at her with the same affectionate teasing that they always had.
Seeing her look over at him, Toshiro shot her a smirk; watching as she excused herself from the group, and made her way over to him. Once she reached him, he raised a curious eyebrow at her. "You haven't seen some of them in ten years, and you come talk to me instead? Not very courteous, Karin."
The raven-haired beauty smirked back, and met his teasing look with her own. "Well, I wouldn't have had to leave them if you'd stopped being so damn antisocial, and come over to say hi. From where I'm standing, this is your fault, Toshiro." she replied; her smirk morphing into a soft smile as his did the same. "To be honest, I can't believe you came. I know nightclubs aren't your thing, so what possessed you to agree to this?"
The young captain's soft smile turned sly, and he shrugged. "What, the chance to see you again wasn't enough incentive?" he asked playfully; his eyes shining with sarcasm and humor under the glow of the pink and purple lights.
"Oh, shut up." Karin replied with a smirk on her face; punching his arm, before looking back over her shoulder at Rangiku, Rukia, Momo, and her sister, who were ushering for her to come out onto the dancefloor with them. The raven-haired Kurosaki looked back at her companion, and gestured towards the dancefloor; a curious smile on her face. "Wanna come and dance, Toshiro?"
The white-haired man shook his head in reply; giving her a gentler, but still humorous, smile this time. "I'd rather be zombified again. Go have fun; that's what you're here for. I'll be fine where I am."
Karin looked at him with a combination of understanding and slight humor, before she nodded, and made her way out onto the floor; joining her girlfriends, and finding the beat as the other men, Hiyori, and Lisa cozied up to the bar to talk and drink.
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Karin couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so free. She let her body move, and her hips sway, to every beat that was played; sliding her hand into her hair as she moved to the rhythm, and sensed many pairs of eyes on her, her sister, and her friends from various men throughout the course of the night, even though none approached her. She knew that one of those pairs of eyes was Toshiro's, which caused her to move just a little more seductively than she normally would; enjoying it whenever she caught a glimpse of his turquoise pools staring at her with an intensity that she wasn't used to from him. She wasn't sure if it stemmed from protectiveness, or desire; but she'd take what she could get.
Finally, at 11:30, everyone on the dancefloor started making their way over to the bar to grab a drink, and welcome in the new year. Karin, along with the girls, started making their way over to the bar, when she caught Toshiro's pointed gaze from the corner of her eye; turning to look at him, and nodding when he gave her a slight smile, and gestured towards the back door with a tilt of his head.
She melted back into the crowd of people, slid over to the closet at the front of the club without being seen by her group, grabbed her coat, and made her way over to the back door; opening it, and stepping out into the courtyard behind the building. She pulled her coat closed as she walked over to Toshiro, who was standing on the large patio in the middle of the courtyard, and looking up at the moon; his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
Coming to a stop beside him, she gave him a playful smirk. "Had enough of the crowds?" she asked, and Toshiro smirked back. "You know me too well, Karin." he replied, as they both gazed up at the full moon. It was exceptionally bright tonight, and the light bathed the landscape in an ethereal glow; making Toshiro's already snow-white hair seem even whiter.
After a few moments of silence, the 10th division captain looked back down at the girl next to him; staring at her for a minute before she finally noticed, and looked over to meet his gaze. Karin raised a questioning eyebrow in amused bewilderment; a confused smile on her face. "Are you alright, Toshiro? You seem off."
The white-haired man shrugged, and turned to her fully. "I'm fine; just thinking. So, what are your New Year's resolutions this year? Are you going to carry over the one that you've had for the last five years that you refuse to tell me about?" he asked; his smirk broadening slightly.
Karin punched him lightly in the arm, and smirked back. "Damn straight, and I'm still not telling you what it is. Aside from that, though…well, I guess work hard, now that I've finally graduated medical school, and can work with goat-chin at the clinic; and make sure to spend more time with my family, now that Yuzu and I are out of the house. What about you?" she asked; probing his eyes, as she smiled warmly at him.
Toshiro was silent for a moment; bright turquoise searching stormy dark grey, before a soft, affectionate smile made its way onto his face. "I have two resolutions this year, and one hinges on the other."
Confused, Karin cocked her head slightly, and raised a questioning eyebrow. "Now I'm curious; what are these mystery resolutions, Toshiro Hitsugaya? Your life pretty much revolves around your job, so I can't see what exciting plans you have for the future." she said; a slight smirk on her face that Toshiro returned. "Starting a new life." he replied, as he pulled one of his hands out of his pocket to hold up a key. Karin examined it closely as a puzzled look overcame her face. "Okay, I'm lost. What's the key for?" she asked; watching as his smirk morphed back into a small smile, and he answered her. "My new apartment a few doors down from you and Yuzu."
Karin's eyes went wide with shock, and her mouth dropped open, as she processed the new information. "What?! how the hell are you allowed to live here?! And why're you coming to live here?! What the hell is going on, Toshiro?!"
Toshiro put the key back in his pocket, and crossed his arms over his chest as he held her gaze with his own. "I spoke with both Head Captain Kyoraku, and Central 46, about it. They're willing to let me live in the world of the living, and commute back and forth to Soul Society every day, as long as I keep the same hours that I do now; and stay on-call for whenever they need me….but that approval hinges on the answer to my other resolution." he said; watching as a multitude of emotions flashed across Karin's face. He saw extreme confusion, curiosity, shock, excitement, and…hope. He didn't know why, but seeing that made him feel strangely less nervous about answering the question he knew was coming.
The raven-haired Kurosaki stared back at him, and pulled her coat tighter around her. She shivered from the cold night air, but held his gaze; her face losing its shocked expression, and adopting a more serious one. "What's your other resolution?" she asked; searching his face with probing eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Toshiro took off his jacket, and draped it around her shoulders; pulling her closer to him as he did so. "Finding out how you feel about me. We started out as strangers over ten years ago, and we've grown into best friends…but I want more from you, Karin. The only reason why Central 46 is even entertaining this idea is because I fell in love with a Kurosaki; so, whether I stay in the world of the living or not depends on you. Tell me what you want, and that's how it'll be."
For a moment, Karin felt like the wind had been completely knocked out of her; not sure if this conversation was real, or just another one of the many dreams that she'd had over the last several years. Taking a few seconds to collect her thoughts, she finally spoke once she found her words.
"This is real, right?" she asked; to which he nodded.
"You in love with me?"
Another nod.
Letting the information sink in, a cheeky smirk made its way onto her face as she brought her hands up, and grabbed the collar of his shirt; pulling him closer. "Well, it's about damn time. I was starting to wonder if I'd be carrying my resolution to get you to fall in love with me over for another five years before it finally worked."
Toshiro smirked back as his arms circled her waist; bringing her flush to him. "I've been in love with you since you were sixteen, Karin; but I wanted to wait until you were out of school to tell you. I didn't want to be a distraction for you." he said, as he watched Karin's smirk turn into a soft smile. "To be honest, I wouldn't have known how to respond if you'd told me when I was sixteen. I realized I loved you when I turned 18, and left for college. I didn't get to spend nearly as much time with you when you came to visit, and that really hurt. What's the old saying? 'You never know what you have until it's gone'?" she replied; seeing his smirk soften to a smile as well, as they both closed the distance between them. Meeting halfway, they found each other's lips as their eyes fell closed, and they relaxed completely into the other's embrace; neither of them wanting to pull away any time soon.
Finally, after several minutes (and several intoxicating kisses later), they finally separated; resting their foreheads on each other's. "So, I take it you want me to stay, then?" Toshiro asked; a smirk on his face, which Karin returned. "Um…duh; of course I do, you moron. So, how about we go back in, grab a drink, and toast your new life as we ring in the new year with everyone?" she replied, with a playfulness in her eyes that normally would have made him nervous; but tonight, Toshiro liked it. "Sure; let's go." he said, as he took her hand in his, and they walked back into the building.
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Discarding their coats on a nearby table, and finding their friends at the bar watching the broadcast of the ball drop from America, Toshiro and Karin got themselves a drink; lining up with everyone else as the countdown began. Everyone in the club started counting along when the ball hit 10 seconds.
"Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! ONE!"
The whole club erupted into cheers, as Ichigo kissed Orihime, Renji kissed Rukia, Jinta kissed Yuzu, and everyone else raised their glasses in celebration; Karin and Toshiro joining in. "Happy New Year, everyone!" Ichigo shouted, as they all echoed back "Happy New Year!", and took a sip of their beverages.
Turning to his best-friend-turned-girlfriend, Toshiro gave Karin a soft, affectionate smile. "Happy New Year, Karin." he said; sliding his free arm around her waist, and seeing her smile softly back at him as her right hand came up to cradle the side of his face. "Happy New Year, Toshiro." she replied, before they closed the distance between them, and shared a tender but deep kiss.
Almost instantaneously, everyone felt a huge surge of reiatsu as Rangiku, Momo, Orihime, and Yuzu cheered; everyone else smirked, and Ichigo exploded. "TOSHIROOOO! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU-HEY! DAMMIT, RENJI, CHAD, LET GO OF ME, YOU BASTARDS!" the strawberry shouted, as his two best friends restrained him; Renji with a cocky smirk on his face as he looked from the young couple now chuckling at Ichigo's plight, to the orange-haired man. "Come on, Ichigo, lighten up a little. Karin's not a kid anymore; she's a grown-ass woman. Besides, you're an idiot if you didn't see this coming years ago."
"Renji's right, you simpleton. They've obviously been interested in each other since Karin was a teenager. The fact that you haven't noticed is highly concerning." Uryu replied from his spot leaning against the bar; with Yuzu nodding emphatically beside him. "That's true, Ichi. Oooooh, I've been waiting for this for so long, I can't believe it's finally happening!" the older twin shouted excitedly as she bounced up and down, and gave her sister a hug.
"Oh, captain! I'm so glad you'll finally have a life outside of the office!" Rangiku chimed in; coming up behind Toshiro, and wrapping the unexpecting man in a bone-crushing hug. "Matsumoto, let go of me!" the young captain yelled irritatedly as everyone else laughed, and the boys finally released a slightly calmed down Ichigo.
As the lieutenant finally released her boss, the strawberry sighed frustratedly; before picking his beer back up, and looking at the new couple. "Okay, okay, fine! I get the point…but I gotta know, Karin; why Toshiro, of all people? Your tons of fun, and he's no fun at all." he said; raising his glass of beer to his lips, and smirking at the visibly irritated 10th division captain, before taking a swig.
"You mean, besides sex appeal?"
Ichigo choked on his drink, and spit out the majority of it, before hunching over, gagging, and coughing as Orihime patted his back, and everyone else broke out into raucous laughter.
"Perfect timing, Karin!" Shunsui said; a big smile on his face as he gave the young Kurosaki a thumbs up.
Karin smirked in reply, before taking her boyfriend's hand as the two of them set their drinks back down on the bar; looking at their friends and her still-winded brother. "Thanks, Shunsui. Ichi, to answer your question: we're like two sides of the same coin; we fit each other perfectly, and we complement each other in every right way. Now, I think we're gonna call it a night. See ya, everyone, and Happy New Year! We'll catch most of you tomorrow before you head back to the Soul Society." she said, as they turned to leave, and everyone wished them a goodnight as well.
"Bye captain! Bye, Karin! Enjoy the rest of your evening~!" Rangiku sang; a mischievous smirk on her face. "Good luck with decorating his new apartment, and make sure to have lots of fun! I expect to have little Karins and Toshiros running around before too long!"
"WHAT?! TOSHIRO HAS A PLACE HERE NOW?!" the substitute shouted; his face bright red, as he looked from the bubbly lieutenant, to his sister and her boyfriend. Toshiro was giving Rangiku an unamused glare, but Karin smirked at the busty blonde; giving her a nod and a wink, before pulling the 10th division captain along with her towards the door.
Something inside Ichigo snapped. "LIKE HELL I'M GONNA LET YOU TWO BE ALONE! WHERE THE HELL IS HIS APPARTMENT, KARIN?! GET BACK HERE, YA HEAR ME?! TOSHIRO, IF YOU SO MUCH AS LAY A FINGER ON HER, I SWEAR I'LL-!"
Toshiro and Karin walked out of the club with their coats in-hand, and closed the door on Ichigo's enraged rant; chuckling to themselves as they saw Renji, Kisuke, Chad, and Tatsuki all struggling to restrain the flippant Substitute Soul Reaper. Looking to his girlfriend, Toshiro raised a questioning eyebrow; a smirk on his face. "First, how long do you think it'll take for him to calm down; and second, your place, or mine?"
Karin smirked back, and crossed her arms over her chest. "He'll be fuming for a while, but that's fine; they can deal with it. Let's go to yours; he knows where I live, and I'd rather not have to deal with him for as long as necessary. Besides, I've got questions about how you managed to get Central 46 to agree to this, and I'd rather not talk about that with Yuzu around." she replied; uncrossing her arms, and sliding them up his chest to wrap around his neck. "Also, you've got a lot of years to make up for; so I don't want to see you in an early grave." she finished; the two of them chuckling, before sharing another deep kiss.
When they parted, Toshiro rested his forehead on Karin's as he held her tight to him. "Fair enough. My place it is, then." he said, as he let her go, and brought her over to a silver Chevrolet Corvette sitting in the parking lot. The young captain pulled a set of keys out of his coat pocket, and clicked a button; unlocking the car, to the utter shock of his girlfriend. "Holy crap, Toshiro, what do captains make in the Gotei 13?" she asked; her eyes wide as her boyfriend opened to passenger door for her. "A decent amount." he replied; smirking as he gestured for her to get in with a slight tilt of his head.
Recovering from her shock, Karin smirked back at him, before climbing into the vehicle; fastening her seatbelt as Toshiro got into the driver's seat, started the car, and pulled out of the parking lot of the club.
As they drove, and talked, Karin felt a strange peace and excitement that she'd never felt before; and it made the smile on her face widen. Normally, she didn't really care about another year starting, since not much in her life ever really changed from one year to another; but this time, she couldn't wait to see what was in store now that Toshiro was here with her for good. 'It's gonna be a good year' she thought; thinking excitedly about all of the possibilities ahead of them, and looking forward to every single one.