"You look perturbed," said Urahara as Karin slouched into her room to get back in her body.
The slim brunette girl tossed a lazy glare at the shopkeeper. "Don't I always?" she asked snidely.
He smiled behind his fan. This was fun – he wished Yoruichi was here to participate. "So you didn't just ask Hitsugaya Toushiro to join us tonight at the fair?"
Karin paused in the middle of folding her bedding. She held her tongue for a moment before saying, "Yeah, I did. We're all going, no point him staying away from that."
"Do you like him, Karin-chan?"
"Wha- what is your problem, Urahara-san? Don't you have something better to do than to pry and pry?" She slammed the futon into the cupboard, completely squashing the hidden Kon without noticing.
He grinned behind his fan again. "At the moment? Nope."
"It's none of your business." She stalked out of the room and down the corridor, evidently to join her sister for lunch.
The blond shopkeeper leaned against the wall. "Ah. Young love."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
"Taichou?"
Already in his gigai, Hitsugaya paused in the middle of putting on his shoes. "What?"
"You look perturbed."
"No I don't." He grabbed the cell phone and proceeded to the door. "And by the way, make sure I get all the photos."
"Come on, taichou, it was just a bit of harmless fun." Matsumoto pouted.
"I don't think you setting some... paparazzi or paparati or – I don't know what they're called – is appropriate behavior for a seated officer." Hitsugaya scowled darkly. "You do know better, Matsumoto."
"And you need to find the fun in life a little, taichou." The strawberry blond leaned against the wall.
The diminutive captain pulled on his shoes slowly. "What do you mean, find the fun? I'm a captain, I don't have the time for fun."
"That's not true and you know it," Matsumoto said quietly. When he looked directly at her, his anger simmering, she added, "Ever since Hinamori was stabbed by Aizen you've been sinking deeper and deeper into melancholy and depression. You've always been serious, I know that, but you weren't... you weren't dour or depressed. When did you last laugh? Okay, scratch that. That never happens. When did you last smile, even?"
"I'm not depressed," countered Hitsugaya defensively. "I laughed... recently. And I smiled... just earlier today." His innate honesty prompted him to clarify, "Alright, not a real full smile, but I did tweak my lips. Into something resembling a smile."
Matsumoto raised an eyebrow in triumph. "See? And you're getting wrinkles from all that frowning. The only cheerful thing you've done since we turned up in the real world was humming."
"I don't- okay, fine, I do hum. But that's to alleviate the stress." Hitsugaya looked away, his lips twisted in a grimace. "I'm busy. We'll talk about this when...well, never ever again."
"You can't shut me up taichou!" Matsumoto scolded as he almost ran out of the apartment. She folded her arms, her impressive cleavage heaving. She wasn't about to let him avoid his own problems.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Abarai Renji was impressed.
He had never seen or heard Sado Yasutora speak so much at one go, but the teenager had not paused at all in the midst of lunch, detailing the various accomplishments of the famous bassists and guitarists who were going to be at the festival. He was unusually animated, Abarai noted, which covered for the disinterest shown on Karin's face.
After lunch, he and Sado were to have an hour's break before returning to training. He took the chance to speak to the slim Kurosaki girl. "Karin, you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"You look like crap."
"Gee thanks," she threw him a sarcastic smile, "you're just full of concern today."
"Hey." Abarai planted his hands on his hips. "Your brother insisted that I look after you two, alright? He can't drop by, his training's still in progress."
"You heard from Ichi-nii?" Karin swerved around.
Abarai shrugged. "He called a couple days ago."
"Did you tell Yuzu?" demanded Karin.
Abarai snorted. "Do I look that dumb to you? 'Course I didn't. She's still moping about that, ain't she? But I don't know what you are moping about."
"Nothing in particular. Thanks, Abarai. Appreciate the update." Karin strode off, calling for her twin.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Yuzu looked at the two dresses laid out on the floor. "Urahara-san, these are beautiful!"
"Try them on," the shopkeeper encouraged. Yuzu picked the lilac dress and dashed into the bathroom to change.
Karin came in to see Urahara sitting cross-legged on the floor. "What are you doing here?"
"My shop, remember? Anyway I brought some dresses for Yuzu to try out. I'd offer one to you, but we both know that'd be a waste of time, no?" He smiled cheerily.
Karin briefly debated grabbing the pale green dress on the bed and put it on, then decided not to be so petty. She went to her trunk and pulled out a cap. "I'm going out."
"Be back before five, Karin-chan. We're all leaving at six after an early dinner."
"Alright."
Before Karin could leave, Yuzu emerged, a petite and pretty vision in lilac. Kari felt a small twinge of envy but suppressed it. Yuzu was the one who inherited their mother's looks and heart. Karin had other things going for her.
She wished she believed that.
Yuzu saw Karin getting ready to head out and ran up to her twin. "You sure you can go out? Shouldn't you be resting?"
"I'm fine, Yuzu. I just wanna head down to the field, see my friends. You want to join me?"
"Tessai-san asked me if I wanted to learn how to bake souffles, so I'll be here the entire day." Yuzu gazed worriedly. "Just... if you're not feeling well, don't play, alright?"
"Yeah. Don't worry about me. Have fun."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
It was a fine, lazy Saturday afternoon.
Birds were twittering, butterflies flitting, and the boys were kicking a soccer ball around.
Karin strolled up to the pitch. "Hey guys!"
They looked over, saw it was Karin, and then as one turned away and dribbled down the field. The girl was left standing alone and ignored. She considered calling them again, but just sighed and sat heavily on the grass.
It was her fault, she supposed. After Hitsugaya had appeared in school she had barely spoken three sentences to her old gang. No doubt they thought she had abandoned them for the new guy. The new guy who was cool, handsome and smart, all things that they weren't.
"Hey."
Speak of the devil. Karin looked behind her. Hitsugaya was standing two paces away, a thoughtful frown on his face.
"Hey." she went back to observing the soccer game that was being played without her. "I thought you were going to be busy."
"Delegated." He sat down beside her. She pointedly moved further by two and a half feet. He ignored it. "What time is Urahara gathering everyone?"
"Five o'clock for dinner, six to leave." Karin cursed inwardly at a fumbled pass. "You're not changing?"
"What's wrong with the clothes I'm wearing?"
"Nothing." She sneaked another glance. The captain wore a black shirt and dark jeans, accentuated with a leather cuff as a statement. He looked like a pop idol, except he was a kid.
Karin ran her wardrobe through her mind and settled on a simple black long-sleeved and black skinny jeans combo. Match that with a simple silver cross from her dad and the combat boots her brother got her for her birthday and it would be perfect.
They watched the match until it was four-thirty before heading back to the shop. Along the way Karin managed to get Hitsugaya to teach her the tune he whistled frequently, although he still refused to 'recall' the lyrics.
"I bet you remember," Karin said as they stepped through the doors to Urahara's general store. "You're just afraid I'll ask you to sing."
"I'm afraid of nothing, kid. I don't remember, that's all."
"Ha."
Urahara appeared in the doorway suddenly. "Welcome, Hitsugaya-taichou! Matsumoto's already here and waiting!"
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Hitsugaya hated to admit it was fun, but it was a relief to let go of the burdens he had been feeling. All around him the sounds of humanity roared and ebbed like tides, and more than once he caught sight of pluses wandering around intermingled with humans.
"After the festival we'll need to put in some overtime," he told Ikkaku loudly over the din. The third seat was suffering gallantly as Yumichika squealed and bought tons of candy and accessories. Abarai, Tessai, and Matsumoto had already been led away by Sado to the stage, where a live rock band was pounding out some strong beats that thundered across the festival.
"No prob, taichou," Ikkaku yelled in reply. Before he could converse further Yumichika hauled him away to purchase more things 'that will brighten up my room in Seireitei'.
"What is that noise?!" he mouthed at Karin and Urahara.
She yelled, "It's music!"
"I know music! Music has notes! This-" he gestured at the stage not fifty metres from them "-is noise!"
Urahara merely shrugged, eying a leggy lass as she sashayed past him in a too-short skirt and sweater.
Yuzu tugged on Karin's arm and spoke in her ear. "Ururu asks if I can accompany her to the games stall. I think she wants to try the shooting gallery. You want to come along?"
Karin glanced at Ururu and especially at Jinta who was nearby, beet red. "Nah, I'm thirsty. Hey, Jinta, take care of them both, alright? Urahara-san, Hitsugaya and I are going to the ice stall!"
Jinta's eyes narrowed, as if suspecting a trick. But at Karin's smirk he puffed his chest out and grinned, following the two girls to the games booths. Karin suspected that they were going to need more shelf space for soft toys after tonight.
Urahara spotted another lean, lithe form not too far away. "Uh, I'm gonna have to leave you two for a bit," he said with a barely-concealed smile. Karin tried to crane her neck to see who he saw, but there were too many people in the way. Urahara didn't wait for them to respond before disappearing into the crowd.
Now it was just Hitsugaya and her. And perhaps a few hundred people milling about them.
"So," she turned to him with forced casualness. "Where shall we go?"
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Tina felt as if electricity was running through her veins. He was so cute, all large eyes and soft smile, and when he spoke he was exceedingly polite and gentle.
If she didn't watch herself she might fall in love with this high school boy.
Mizuiro led her around the dance floor again, inwardly cursing Urahara for sticking him with an unpalatable assignment. The girl was sweet enough, but he still liked older girls.
At least it was only for one evening.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Near the temple it was quieter.
Almost carelessly Hitsugaya pulled out of his gigai and performed a few soul burials.
Karin sighed. "Can't you just take a break for once?"
"Not in my operating system," he said as he returned to his gigai.
"You joked again." She was compelled to note the inane; otherwise she'd be gawking at the almost-smile on that perpetually annoyed face, the play of shadows over his pale features, the blaze his white hair made against the night...
"I do that on rare occasions." He watched the crowd that were mobbing the stage and the stalls. "Why are humans so noisy?"
"Noise drives fear away," said Karin without thinking. Then she pondered over her answer. "And noise makes people feel... alive."
"But silence is when you're most aware of yourself," commented the captain.
Karin shrugged. "Not everyone wants to know themselves that well."
"True." He linked his fingers together. "But it is necessary for-"
"Taichou!" Matsumoto's cheerful voice rushed out of nowhere. In an instant the white-haired shinigami was enveloped in a huge hug. "Oh! Karin-chan, you're here too! I'm sorry I didn't see you, you're camouflaged in black... did I interrupt a rendezvous?"
"You sure didn't," said Karin quickly when Hitsugaya was slow in responding. "What's up?"
"Sado and Abarai decided to go backstage to meet the musicians. There aren't any hunks there so I decided to hunt taichou down, and, well, to tell you that your dad is back."
"He's back?" Karin leaped to her feet and ran into the crowd. Both tenth division officers raised their brows in surprise.
Matsumoto's question shook Hitsugaya out of his thoughts. "How is she supposed to find him in the crowd?"
He merely shrugged and continued to sit.
His lieutenant sat down as well, making herself comfortable on the stone seat. "I'm sorry to have interrupted."
"It's okay. We weren't talking about anything important." He rubbed the back of his skull. "Matsumoto, why did you want to take photos of me and Karin?"
"For fun. Nothing much else, actually." She peeked at him under half-lidded eyes, knowing that he knows she wasn't telling the truth.
He waited.
She waited some more.
He raised both eyebrows at her.
She sighed and caved. "I thought you two looked good together. And it would be nice for you to have a young friend."
"That's it?" Hitsugaya said. He had believed there would be some complicated reason behind it all.
"That's it."
"And you wanted to print a poster and put it at the division office?"
Matsumoto grinned like a Cheshire cat. "It was just a threat, taichou. Relax. Hinamori-san won't see it."
He glared at her, but she could tell his heart wasn't in it. She leaned over, as if privy to a secret. "So who do you prefer, taichou? Hinamori or Karin?"
"Wha- I don't think that's pertinent, is it?"
"You're blushing."
He scowled fiercely. "It's the heat," he temporized. "Why are you asking anyway?"
"Well," she drawled, "in the few weeks we've been here you've been by Karin's side almost everyday. When you're training her you actually smile now and then. And you hummed quite a few times-"
"-that's displacement activity from the stress of my work-"
"-and the most important thing, which no one else has figured out."
Hitsugaya wished he had the presence of mind to ignore Matsumoto and just walk away, but now he wanted to hear her perspective. He didn't ask though.
She chose to switch the subject. "When you're with Hinamori, you seem happy too, but you never seem to be close to her. I don't think you confide in her for anything. Do you? Don't glare, I'm just commenting here. And ever since that whole Aizen thing you've been worried about her, but nothing more."
He got up, impatient with himself. "I'm going to find Urahara and Madarame."
She pulled him down. "I've just started the analysis." He didn't want to cause a scene, so he plopped back onto the seat. She went on. "I think you like Hinamori only as a sister."
"I never said -" protested the white haired captain.
"Oh hush. I know the whole of Seireitei thinks you like her, yourself included. But I think the better match for you is Karin, young though she may be."
He shut his eyes and buried his face in his hands, exasperated. Once again he was reminded how difficult it was to shut Matsumoto up once she got going.
The buxomy lieutenant pondered aloud. "Let's see... she's cynical, but too cynical, which balances you out nicely. She's good with her shinigami skills, and her zanpakuto is water-based, which complements yours. She also exhibits signs of liking you, which I'm not surprised by; you're probably the only boy to pay exclusive attention to her. And... drum roll please..."
"MATSUMOTO!!" A loud roar cut her off.
Hitsugaya had never been more relieved to hear Abarai's voice calling out to them. He practically sprinted up and patted the sixth division lieutenant on the hand. "Thanks, Abarai."
Sado and Abarai watched Hitsugaya flee into the crowd to find Urahara and the others. Abarai turned to Matsumoto. "What's with him?"
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
The nerve of Matsumoto. Fuming, Hitsugaya stalked through the crowd, not paying heed to his direction. He turned left, then right again. Who does she think she is?
"Hey! Watch it moron!"
"I apologise." The captain looked up and then did a double take. "Uh... Tina, right?"
"Tina, right. Watch where you're going, Hitsugaya. You nearly made me spill my drink on Mizuiro-kun." She directed a deadly glare at her one-time target.
"Sorry about that." Hitsugaya inclined his head and moved around them, leaving Tina to fawn over her captive. He caught sight of the teenager's bored face and smothered his amusement. Thank all the gods he was not her date.
And what did Matsumoto mean that there's something no one has figured out?
Great. Now that's going to plague my thoughts for the entire night.