Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. I am making no money from this. Tite Kubo owns all, I'm just playing with them for a while. The quote at the start of this chapter was actually written by my though, so please don't use it without permission.

Author's Notes: New one-shot in the ATWW series is now up, "Paperwork." It's just a cute, comedic short for ByaRan fans. The next HitsuKarin bit here is dedicated to everyone who reviewed "No Warm Memories," and asked why I didn't write this scene. I actually considered doing it as a one-shot a while back, but it's not really that interesting unless you're familiar with the series. (Oh, and also somewhat recently a HitsuKarin one-shot, called "Absence," did actually go up. It was my answer to a Valentine's challenge from a friend, is set during NWM, and is just a cute little scene.) And since people reviewing this story have been commenting on the plotline with Karin, I figured I should let them know what's going on. I also figured out a way to get lots of cute bits in with other couples, so this chapter has less IchiHime, sorry. (The next part will be almost entirely with them.) I hope you still enjoy it.


Until the Last Breath

By Lady Callista

Chapter 3 : Little Moments

OoOoOoOoOoO

"Sometimes it's the little moments that mean the most. I'm all for grand romantic gestures, expensive presents, and making love - don't get me wrong. But sometimes a single look or touch at exactly the right moment says 'I love you' more than anything else. Sometimes the right words, or the smallest thoughtful tokens, are more precious than diamonds. And sometimes falling asleep in someone's arms and knowing you'll wake up the same way is all you need to be happy."

~Lady Callista (this was going to be something Rangiku said in "Behind This Mask," but it didn't work in the story, and I loved it too much to never use it.)

OoOoOoOoOoO

Orihime quietly let herself into Ichigo's bedroom after telling Yuzu that Karin was safely in Soul Society, and that her memories were intact. While she'd been talking to Yuzu, Ichigo had shed his body and flown off to find Chad and Uryu, both to thank them for patrolling and to let them know about Karin. He had figured Urahara-san had his own methods of finding out.

Briefly focusing her senses on Ichigo's body to make sure that Kon was in his plushie in Yuzu's room and not her boyfriend's body, Orihime undressed quickly, helping herself to a pair of Ichigo's boxers and a t-shirt for sleeping. When they were at her place they generally slept naked, enjoying the closeness even on nights that they did nothing but sleep, but she had never felt comfortable sleeping that way at his house. Especially tonight, as she wanted to be able to run to Yuzu if the girl had a bad night.

Turning out the light, she crossed to the bed and cuddled in against Ichigo's body, her thoughts drifting as she awaited his return.

She had apologized to both Ichigo and his father for not being able to save Karin, and they had both said it wasn't her fault.

Orihime knew they were right on one level. She had never blamed Isshin for her brother's death after all, even though he had been the doctor who had been unable to save him. Not everyone could be saved.

And now Karin could be with Toshiro. Which was good and all, but…

Orihime turned away from Ichigo to stare at his nightstand, where she had set her barrettes along with the necklace he had given her before climbing into bed. She thought of the charm bracelet Karin always wore, which was likely sitting on the nightstand in the girls' room, and reminded herself to bring it with her the first time her and Ichigo went to Seireitei to check on Karin. They hadn't spoken of it, but Orihime would be surprised if they didn't go the very next day.

And she was the only one who knew what the bracelet meant to Karin. She had often seen the girl fingering it, and knew it reminded her of her missing love just as Orihime's necklace reminded her of Ichigo when they were apart. Not that they were often apart for more than a day, but the reminder was still nice.

Orihime blinked eyes that were threatening to slid shut as she curled herself back over Ichigo's chest, feeling slightly odd. She had never cuddled with his body when he wasn't in it before, and wondered what he would think when he returned. Yet the fact that she felt slightly weird about it was quickly buried under the comforting, familiar scent and feel of his body, even if the normally pulsing glow of his reiatsu was missing.

Orihime used her own arm to move his until it draped around her back and waist, a few tears making their way down her face as she waited for his return. She vowed to be strong for him when he returned, so she had to get all the tears out of her system before that happened.

She knew how much it hurt him to see her cry, and she knew how much pain he was already in over his sister's loss.

For the first time ever, he had failed to save someone he loved. And she knew just how much that would affect him.

OoOoO Meanwhile, in Seireitei OoOoO

"Just go, Renji." Rukia argued as she pulled Rangiku back to the Remembrance Ceremony that had been going on when they left to try and save Karin. "You tell the soutaicho, we're going to go tell some of our friends."

Rukia's glare finally sent a mumbling Renji off to tell Yamamoto about Karin's death and upcoming arrival in Seireitei. And Rukia and Rangiku returned to the party.

"Why am I not surprised to find that this party is still going on?" Rangiku declared as the two women entered the room to find it filled with even more drunk Shinigami than it had been when they left.

Momo rushed over to them at once, pulling Rangiku off to the side. She was one of the few still at the party who was not drunk. "What happened? Did anything happen to…"

Rangiku glanced around to make sure no one could overhear them before whispering back, "Karin… was killed by a Hollow. But her soul stayed on Earth. Toshiro's bringing her through a Senkaimon, likely with all her memories intact."

"Where are they…"

"Probably just coming through the gate now." Rangiku replied softly. "But look uh, don't make a big deal of it tonight. Please, just stay here, tell only the people you have to. I think Karin-chan deserves a little time to adapt to Seireitei, she doesn't need to get pulled into a drunken party."

"I… but…. Okay." Momo tried to protest at first, but finally withered under Rangiku's hard stare.

"Good, thanks." Rangiku whispered as she caught Rukia's eye. The girl came closer, and Rangiku said quietly, "Momo's on board with only telling who we have to. She's known about the two of them for a while, just like I did. I'm going to go back and wait for Toshiro, I'm sure he'll want someone to go tell Ichigo that everything worked out. Can you, um, can you tell him where I went if he's looking?"

As soon as both girls nodded Rangiku flashed away.

Rukia turned to Momo and hissed under her breath, "You knew about this and you didn't tell any of us?"

After doing another check of their surroundings to make sure no one was paying attention to them, Momo hissed back, "And how long did you know about your brother and Rangiku before the rest of us girls did?

OoOoOoOoO

"Be polite, but do not be afraid of him. Answer his questions as directly as you like, there is nothing he can do to keep us apart now. Although it would be preferable if he does not find out."

Karin nodded as Toshiro instructed her softly, glancing around the small waiting-area where they stood side by side, alone. The Shinigami who had escorted them into the office had left to announce them to the soutaicho, and returned just as Toshiro finished speaking, ushering them into the main office.

Toshiro stopped a few paces away from the desk, bowing deeply as Karin copied his actions. "Yamamoto-soutaicho, may I present Kurosaki Karin."

"It's an honor to meet you, Soutaicho." Karin said formally as she rose from her bow, palms sweating lightly as they clutched the hilt of her zanpakuto to her chest.

Yamamoto returned her formal greeting, his eyes fixed on the katana. A small smile graced his lips. "I must inform you that you have set a record for acquisition speed of a zanpakuto, but with your blood I guess I should expect surprises. I'm certain you must be tired, but confess I wanted to meet Kurosaki-san's sister as soon as I was informed of the situation. How are you adjusting?"

Karin gave a small bow, hoping that she could find the courage to start speaking if she wasn't looking into this imposing man's steely eyes. "It's a bit of a shock. And I know the way I came here was…uh… unorthodox. But, but… Yamamoto-soutaicho, I… I want to be a Shinigami."

The Soutaicho chuckled, his eyes again glancing to her zanpakuto. "I would say that is very clear. The next academy classes will begin in a month; I will see your name added. Do you know her name yet? Or what she does?"

"Kyokon." Karin whispered, her cheeks stretching embarrassingly as she had to stifle a yawn in the middle of stating the kanji used to write Kyokon and what she did..

"Fascinating." Yamamoto replied. "But as I said, you just be tired. If you will just wait in the outer room for a moment, I need to speak of a few things with Hitsugaya-taicho, then I will send for someone to get you settled in for the night.

Figuring that 'But I want to stay with Toshiro,' wouldn't be the smart thing to say, it was all Karin could do to thank him as she bowed and left the room.

"You did not arrive in time?" Yamamoto said quietly once the door had closed behind her.

"No, her and… and her father were fighting when we got there. In case you do not recall, she had powers even before the Winter War, and afterwards was trained by Urahara-san. Kurosaki-chan had already been hit, and was on the ground. A healing kido was attempted, and when Inoue Orihime arrived she tried her power as well. It did not work. Kurosaki's chain of fate attached itself to her sister, and it was severed so she could be brought here. I took the liberty of asking my fukutaicho to return to Earth and let Ichigo know that his sister arrived safely."

"Thank you for bringing Kurosaki-chan safely here." Yamamoto said after a moment of silence. He had expected Hitsugaya to explain further, but apparently the boy felt what he had said was enough. "I will see that she is assigned to someone… No, we can't just treat her like any new Shinigami, this is Kurosaki's sister after all. She knows Abarai-fukutaicho I believe…"

"Sir, I would like Ka.. Kurosaki-chan assigned to me." Toshiro spoke up quickly when the soutaicho trailed off. "I will guide her through her introduction to Seireitei and Soul Society."

"Isn't that a bit of a waste of a taicho's time?" Yamamoto asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I…" Toshiro trailed off, remembering Renji's whispered words as they had passed in the hallway. The soutaicho did not know he'd been sneaking down to Earth to see Karin, or that he was in love with her. And it might be better all around if he never found out. Although Yamamoto was clever enough that he would probably suspect it within a few days when he discovered they were dating.

"Hitsugaya-taicho?"

Toshiro pulled himself back from his thoughts as something occurred to him. He told the soutaicho honestly, "I promised Kurosaki Ichigo that I would look out for her, and uh, and take care of her."

Yamamoto's eyebrow rose higher. "Hmmm. I always through he was closer to Abarai-taicho and Abarai-fukutaicho…"

It took Toshiro an instant to realize Yamamoto had been talking about Rukia earlier, when he considered assigning Karin to someone she knew.

Rukia and Renji had only been married for a few months, and although Renji had been a taicho for over a year, he had been a fukutaicho much longer. It was hard to make the change in his thinking. Toshiro still wasn't used to hearing his best friend Momo addressed as "Kira-fukutaicho," a title that much like Rukia's made him think of the husband rather than the wife.

A cleared throat made him realize Yamamoto was still waiting for an answer to his question, and Toshiro tried to think of something to say that didn't sound stupid. Finally he simply shrugged as he said, "Who knows what goes on in Kurosaki's head? He asked me, and I promised."

A twinkle in Yamamoto's eyes made Toshiro think the soutaicho knew far more than he was letting on, but the man only said, "Then we will allow you to honor that promise. Kurasaki Karin is in your hands until she reports to the new class of the academy next month."

Toshiro could have sworn the man's eyes twinkled more sharply at what from anyone else he would have considered a double entendre. "Thank you, sir." He bowed quickly, hoping he would be allowed to leave now, before more questions were asked that he didn't want to answer.

"You are dismissed, Hitsugaya-taicho." Yamamoto said as the younger man rose from his bow. "Be certain to take good care of her. I would rather not have an upset Kurosaki Ichigo tearing through my city again. Once was enough."

"Understood, sir." Toshiro said as he turned to leave. Then a thought occurred to him, and to turned back to say quietly, "Although Ichigo will likely be visiting often for the next few months."

Yamamoto sighed, and made a note on the scroll that sat on his desk. "I'll increase the repair budgets of all the divisions for when Kenpachi-taicho goes after him."

Toshiro bowed again and left the room.

OoO

A short while later Toshiro lay in his bedroom, Karin sleeping peacefully in his arms. Although once or twice when he had been down on Earth to visit her she had fallen asleep in his arms, that was very different than deliberately going to sleep together. Very different than knowing they could wake together, not wake in separate rooms that were literally worlds apart. So Toshiro lay quietly, watching her dream, his fingers trailing very lightly up and down her back. He couldn't get enough of touching her. "It hurt so much to see you die." He breathed more than spoke, the fingers that were not trailing over her back linking with her own where her hand lay on his chest. "But selfish as it is, it's hard for me to regret the fact that now we have forever to be together."

In a house not far away, Momo lay curled into a ball with her sleeping husband wrapped around her back. It had taken him nearly 10 minutes to convince her not to go to Toshiro that night, with the winning argument finally being simply that they should be able to spend some time together in private before everyone in Seireitei knew that Kurosaki's little sister was here, and that she was dating a taicho. The two would likely have very little peace after that. Still, it was hard on Momo to not run to her best friend. To not run to the man who had been so instrumental in helping her with her own love life now that his looked like it would finally work out. Twisting her head to kiss Izuru's shoulder, the only part of him she could reach, Momo whispered, "I'm so happy. Now he can be with the person he loves, just like I was able to be."

In his rooms of the sanbantai barracks, a shirtless Renji cuddled with Rukia. They had decided they were too tired to go across town to their rooms in the Kuchiki mansion. "Were Ichigo and I the only ones who didn't know about those two kids?" When Rukia only mumbled and shook her head, he tried a different question. "Did you ever think Hitsugaya would sneak around in a relationship like that?" Mostly asleep, Rukia whispered something that caused his eyes to pop out of his head for an instant before he chuckled, realizing she had to be dreaming. "You silly midget." He whispered gently as he kissed her on the top of the head. "You want everyone around you to be happy, even if it means you have to invent relationships for them." Still laughing inside at the image of his retrained, nobleman ex-taicho dating one of his best drinking-buddies, Renji kissed Rukia again as he settled back to sleep. "That's one of the things I love about you."

A block from their home near the hachibantai barracks, Nanao dragged Shunsui down the street, trying to ignore the somewhat sweet love song he was mumbling drunkenly in her ear. A flash of her steely eyes or a quick thwrap of her fan discouraged any of the drunken Shinigami still running around partying from approaching them. She tried to keep her thoughts up-beat, after all the party hadn't gone nearly as badly as the one the year before. There had been less drunken fighting, and no bankai being released had to be considered a plus as well. And at least this year her lovely husband was conscious enough to walk down the street, instead of being dragged behind her with kido. And whenever he was this drunk, he was a magnificent cuddler. Shunsui proved that the instant they were in their bedroom, pulling her down onto the bed still dressed, holding her tenderly in his arms. He was passed-out within a minute, and Nanao let out a light chuckle as she set her glasses on the bedside table before cuddling back into him. "I hope that, like Kurosaki-chan, I get to be with the one I love in my next life. Although I do wish you would drink a little less in that next life. "

In a mansion on the edge of Seireitei, Rangiku fell asleep in Byakuya's arms. Whether it had been her tirade about how tired she was having to hide their relationship, him having a weird reaction upon finding out about Karin's death and worrying about her dying, or something else that she couldn't guess at, she was content with the fact that their relationship would soon be public. She had been amazed to find him waiting for her after her second trip of the night to Karakura Town, and even more amazed when he had said it was time to let people know about them. But she certainly wasn't going to complain. Feeling that he was already asleep, she whispered softly the words she had never been able to say to him when he was awake. "I love you."

Down on Earth, Kisuke slid a pillow under Yoruichi's head, tucking a blanket lightly around the passed-out woman. She had barely been sober enough to make it through the Senkaimon, as the troubles in Karakura Town had been forgotten by most of the Shinigami at the Remembrance Ceremony as soon as the four ranking Shinigami and the humans had left. Still, drunk enough that a shunpo had knocked her into his door instead of landing her gracefully on the porch, she had wanted him to know Karin was okay. She had stumbled into the main room, murmuring something about 'glad to see Hitsugaya and Karin together after sneaking around for so long,' and 'hoping Ran-chan tells him she loves him eventually.' Kisuke planned to investigate the second part of that statement in the morning, as he knew Rangiku hadn't been planning on telling Hitsugaya that, but didn't have a clue as to who she was talking about. For now though, he simply laid a light kiss on Yoruichi's forehead, something he never would have dared to do when she was awake. And he whispered softly, "It's not that easy to tell someone you love them. Especially if you think they don't feel the same way."

Across town, Ichigo slid back into his body, amused that his girlfriend was already asleep in his arms. Inhaling the sweet strawberry scent of her hair as he held her close, Ichigo felt a single tear trail down his cheek as her comforting reiatsu enfolded him. He felt his father, still downstairs, his reiatsu sad but calm. He felt Yuzu in the next room, apparently sleeping peacefully. And he tried to start getting himself used to the fact that Karin was no longer there. He heard Orihime mumble his name in his sleep, and hugged her a little tighter for an instant as he whispered, "I'm here, Hime. And I always will be."


TBC….

AN2: I kinda feel like the end of this part fits in better with a soap opera than an anime. (I actually wrote the last two first, and the style just stemmed from there.) You know what I mean if you've ever seen it - the last four minutes of a Friday episode there will be a lovely little montage to some romantic song as they flip through various couples being cute together and/or making love. Then there's some major cliffhanger event a second or two before the screen goes blank. I was nice and didn't do the cliffhanger. Please Review. I'm really intereted in what people thought, especially of the views of all the couples. (especially the one I hinted at that I've never hinted at in any of my stories)