They settled into a routine by the third day.

Morning, they sat in class. Recess, they each pop Soul Candy and then, in shinigami form, go to the school field for basic sword drill. Then, just before school ends, they return to their bodies, and go to Urahara's basement where Karin was trained specially in shunpo.

But the problem that was brewing was not anything about the training. In fact, Karin was becoming very adept at both zanjutsu and shunpo; she could actually keep up with Hitsugaya on the latter and was earning props from Urahara for the former.

She was getting better at being a shinigami, but her mood was increasingly fouler as the days passed. And everyone in Urahara's General Store noticed that her bad mood coincided with the times Hitsugaya talked to her, trained with her, or clashed blades with her.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

The tension was thick enough to smother by the second week.

"You're slipping again," Yoruichi corrected Karin's reiatsu flow. "Visualize the target destination first, then direct your strength to your muscles, not your feet. Your feet just has to get there."

"I know, I know."

Yoruichi ruffled her hair affectionately. "Okay. Let's do this again. See Jinta scowling there, not sweeping the floor like he was supposed to upstairs? Get to him and tell him off for me."

Karin grinned crookedly. "Can I whack him?

"Sure. Make him remember his duties."

"Hey." Someone called out from behind the two. Yoruichi winced at the incredibly bad timing.

Karin stiffened. "Hitsugaya."

Then she flash-stepped to Jinta and punched the poor boy off his feet. "Do your work, slacker!"

"Shut up, bi-atch." The spiky-haired kid groused and hopped back up the ladder.

Yoruichi slapped a hand across Hitsugaya's chest. "I wouldn't go near her these days if I'm a white-haired captain."

"What?" Hitsugaya was genuinely confused. "Why?"

"She's upset at you about something. I dunno what, so don't ask me. Anything happen at school, maybe?"

"Other than the first day when I sort-of threatened her?" He racked his memory. "Nothing. Even the replacement souls say nothing untoward happened."

"Maybe you'll need to find out from the horse's mouth when she's less explode-y and more simmer-y." Yoruichi gave a sideways glance. "But I'm hoping she'll keep that rage. She's a better fighter when she has it."

Hitsugaya twisted a scowl. "So you want me to talk to her or not?"

"What I'm saying is that it's up to you."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

"What is your deal, girl?" Jinta grumbled when Karin joined him and Ururu on the little back porch. "You're boiling with anger."

"It's not anger."

Ururu munched contentedly on her chocolate bar. "But you are a lot less happy, Karin-san."

"I've been better, I know that," said Karin as she bit off her liquorice. "But if you're trying to find out why, I sure as heck can't help you. I don't know why I'm-"

"Little Miss Grumpy?"

All three looked up to see Matsumoto looking down at them. "Karin? I'm 'volunteered' to escort you home today."

"I don't need an escort."

"I know you don't, but try explaining that to my captain."

Karin grabbed her bag. "How about – not. Let's go."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

They walked for almost five minutes in blessed silence before Matsumoto had to probe.

"So what is bothering you, Karin? Family, school, friends, romance?"

"Nothing. None of it."

Matsumoto clasped her hands behind her back. "Listen, Karin. I've had a lot of experience dealing with teenage snits. You're not even close to what Hitsugaya-taichou can call up at a moment's notice. So spill."

"There's nothing to spill." Karin stomped on a few steps ahead.

Matsumoto kept up with her, but didn't say a word.

"There's nothing, okay?"

More silence.

"Fine. Everything."

"Well then," said Matsumoto brightly, "that narrows it down some, doesn't it?"

They were close to the clinic now. Karin whirled around. "You know what? I'm not gonna talk to you. About anything. What goes on in my life, my head, nothing. It's not enough you guys mess up Ichi-nii's life, now you gotta get to mine?"

"You're talking plenty now, Karin."

"I-" Karin cut herself off. "It's nearing dinner. I gotta get back."

Before she could give the luscious lieutenant the brush-off, her father dashed out of the house. "KARIN-CHAN!"

The heel of Karin's hand stopped her father in his exuberant hug. He yowled in pain.

"Dad, I'm tired and hungry. So skip the theatrics this time, k?" She swung her bag over her other shoulder and entered the house.

Matsumoto drew an imaginary line with her left foot, all the while smiling. "She is just like Ichigo, isn't she?"

"With suitably individualized traits, of course." Isshin grinned at his ex-lieutenant. "You dropping by for lunch or coffee sometime soon?"

"Oh, like I can get away from the prying eyes of... well. I could. No one's prying on me these days, more's the pity."

"The men, they don't got eyes," teased Isshin. He stuffed his hands into the pocket. "How is she doing?"

"Pretty impressive. Her zanpakuto's water-based. I'd say that, as time goes by and she finds more forms of attack, she'll be a formidable foe."

"I wish sometimes... I don't know. I feel the complete heel, not being in on their education."

Matsumoto flashed a wry grin. "You can't be everywhere for them, Kurosaki-taichou."

"I haven't been a captain for a long time, Ran." Isshin ran his hands through his short hair. "Don't think I can ever be again."

"I'm certain your reiatsu will return in time for the big finish, sir."

"You were never this polite when you were my lieutenant. Who's the big guy that changed ya?"

Matsumoto chuckled. "Little guy, actually. Cutest little thing to walk the hallowed grounds of Seireitei, and he's all broody and glowery because of that."

"Yeah. Good looks and capability bring on the downers. I could relate."

"You could not!"

"I so can!" Isshin stopped their bantering with a roll of his eyes. "Feels like yesterday, doesn't it?"

"Gods, I've missed you." Matsumoto brushed the tip of her nose with her hand, masking her chuckle.

Isshin turned to go back to his house to join his family. Then he halted at the entrance and half-turned. "Is your new captain a white-haired kid, about Karin's height?"

"Yeah," confirmed Matsumoto. Then she did a double-take. "You know him?"

"I've seen him. He doesn't know though."

"About you, us or her?"

Isshin considered. "Pretty much all."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Ichigo's return made for some fireworks.

"It's only for a week, and you're already living in my room?"

"Well, if you're gonna be absent, I don't see why we have to play squatter settlement next door, brother dearest!" Karin yelled back.

Rukia tried to unruffle feathers. "Ichigo, I'm sure Karin can sleep in the girls' room for tonight, or for however long you plan to stay this time."

"And then after that she's gonna move back in my room? I don't think so!"

"Hello? Standing right here!" Karin waved a hand before he big brother's eyes. "You don't use it much these days anyway! And unless you intend to stay for good I'm moving in!"

Ichigo's face reddened. "I've been away for a week and you turn into a smart mouth? Is that it? No one around to teach you manners?"

"It hasn't been only a week, Ichigo, you've been absent for most of the time since the beginning of this year. Of all the people in this house you have the least right to be blaming anyone for thinking you're not coming back-"

Karin's tirade was stopped by a slap. She held her cheek, turning sudden red-rimmed eyes on her father.

Isshin's jaw was set. "I never said he wasn't coming back, Karin. I said you could use his room for now, since he was out."

"Dad, you didn't have to-" Ichigo moved toward his sister, but his way was blocked by his father's larger build.

Isshin was now grabbing his son by the collar. "I just slapped my daughter because my son doesn't know how to come home without first informing me. Don't ever, ever make me do it again, Ichigo." He shook off the orange-haired teen. "Where the hell have you- Rukia. Take Yuzu up to your room, please."

"Sure, sir."

"Daddy." Yuzu's pleading voice was muted by Rukia's gentle shake. The two girls headed upstairs, and Rukia's eyes fell on Ichigo's defiant but confused ones.

When Yuzu and Rukia were out of sight and probably out of hearing range, Isshin scrubbed his face with his hands.

"I've only laid hands on my girls twice before today, and that was the traditional spanking at their births. Today is the third time, and I will never do it again." Isshin's stern gaze fell on his son. "I will cut my hands off before the fourth time occurs. But right now, I want to know where you have been, and why you didn't leave word, and why on earth were you fighting with your sister over a room you don't use."

"I was – I have been... Dad, it's hard to explain."

"Try." Karin stepped up now, her hand still covering the sore cheek. "I'd really love to hear from you."

Isshin placed a hand on her shoulder. "Karin's right."

"I know I haven't been in contact, dad, but I've been with... friends. We're preparing for a... for something."

"Too vague."

"Well I have to be vague, Dad, so deal with it!"

"Well deal with this!" Karin's outburst startled both males. "Deal with the fact that we're all worried sick. Deal with the fact that your school has been calling us to check that you're alright and not, I dunno, lying dead in a ditch somewhere. Deal with the fact that Yuzu has been weeping to sleep every damn night 'cause she's so worried she can't sleep. Deal with the fact that Rukia searches every afternoon and evening. Deal with the fact that your friends are all doing what you're doing, just so they can help you-"

"I didn't ask them to!"

"You don't ask but they still stand by you! What did you think, you can go gallivanting and they'd be the ones minding the store?"

"All right, both of you, that's enough! That is quite enough." Isshin stepped between his two quarreling progeny. He took a deep breath and said, "Karin, I know you've been worried. Right now, I'd like you to go upstairs and rest. Tomorrow's still a school day."

"And which room am I sleeping in?"

Isshin licked his lips wearily. At times like non-smoking was a chore. "Just... your own bed, tonight."

Karin threw one final scowl at her brother before running up the stairs. Isshin rubbed his temples and sighed. "I hate puberty."

"You're already past puberty, dad."

"I meant you. And her. And Yuzu." He ruffled his son's hair. "If you're involved in something big, nasty and illegal, I want you out."

Ichigo chewed the inside of his cheek. "Just big and nasty."

"Then be careful. If she's that upset with you being AWOL for a week, tell me what would probably happen if you die."

"She'd turn into some kind of death goddess and kick my ass?"

"Got it in one." Isshin swiped Ichigo's head one more time. "Go to bed, son."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Matsumoto and Yumichika flipped through the photos Kon took.

"These are too tame, Ran-chan. Anything better?" Yumichika packed them neatly and sealed them into a manila envelope.

Matsumoto rolled off her elbows onto her shoulders. "He's been perfectly proper, Yumi. And yet I know there's a big, explosive payout in this situation somewhere."

"You think we should speed things along?" the pretty fifth seat wondered aloud. "Put them on a date, or something?"

Ikkaku strolled in and flopped in the space beside Yumichika. Draping his muscled arm over the smaller man, Ikkaku said, "Why are you two doing this? Shouldn't we be focused on something else?"

Matsumoto sat up. "Honeys, after the ass-whupping we took the last time we faced off against Arrancar he's been demoralized. So have we all, for that matter. If finding and grooming a brand-new shiny Kurosaki into a kick-ass shinigami makes my captain a happier guy, I'm all for taking down some proof."

"Apart from all the 'ass' metaphors," Yumichika slapped Ikkaku's hand away from said area, "I think it's good to have Hitsugaya realize he's human. Figuratively speaking. He's so wrapped up in being a captain I think he's forgetting about his feelings."

Ikkaku smirked. "And you two wanted something scandalous to gossip about."

Matsumoto and Yumichika exchanged looks.

"Well, yeah." "That too."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Hitsugaya lay on his back, watching the stars overhead.

Not that he could actually see stars; the light of the town made it pretty impossible to see anything.

But he could see the stars of his memory.

'So, Shiro-chan, do you regret coming to the academy?' Hinamori asked.

Hitsugaya grunted. 'It's not too bad. Least I got my own bed now that I ain't got to share with no one.'

'You say that now, but eventually...' giggled the girl, sounding distinctly different from the one who left the compound a year ago. Hitsugaya scowled.

'You're different from before,' he groused. 'The Momo I know would never make salty jokes.'

'Mix around with Abarai-kun and Kira-kun, eventually you pick up some of the lingo.'

'Then I'm findin' some real good lingoists to hang out with.'

Hinamori poked him in the ribs. 'So now we ain't good enough?'

Hitsugaya placed both arms behind his head. 'I call 'em like I see 'em, Momo.'

He sniffed the night wind. There was a scent, elusive yet familiar.

"Taichou, it's a school night. Shouldn't you be sleeping?"

"Matsumoto," he silenced her with an impatient gesture. "What's that smell?"

"Possibly Orihime's cooking."

"No, not the squid ink pot roast in a pastry dish. The other smell."

Matsumoto sniffed experimentally. "I don't smell anything, taichou."

Hitsugaya concentrated his senses. "It's reiatsu."

"I don't recognize anyone with that particular reiatsu signature. Or anything."

"It's strangely familiar." He pulled out of his gigai. "Take care of that now."

Matsumoto carried the small body in her arms, willing him to be careful as the snowy-haired captain soared through the city.