Karin didn't want for the morning to come.
The night before was the best of her life and she realized as she and he also confessed that they loved each other. She knew it was a little bit too early to have so strong feelings for the man beside her, since they only knew each other for a little over a week and all, but she did.
Now she was tucked between his strong arms, feeling warm and safe. She felt like if the world could end right this instant, she wouldn't mind at all.
Then, she remembered her nephew and her face saddened.
That is when Toshiro's eyes opened, as he began waking up.
He smiled at her, but when he saw her saddened face, he thought that it was because she had regretted what happened the previous night.
It was the best experience of his life and the best night he ever had.
He made a move to back away from Karin because he didn't want her to hate him of what happened. That would kill him inside.
Though, Karin's hand shot up instantly and grabbed him by the wrist, preventing him from making another move while she looked at his face with more sadness and this time beg.
He went back by her side slowly as to give her time if she wanted to throw him away or hit him. He would take it all as long as she didn't hate him. His face took a confused look though as he did that.
Her words broke away any hesitation he had and a sigh of relief escaped him before thinking of it.
"Please don't leave me, not yet. I want to hold you a little longer."
He smiled lightly and encircled her in his hands again while he put his nose in her hair to smell her sweet fragrance. He could easily get addicted to her.
This, as well as all good things in life, couldn't last very long and it didn't since a knock came a few minutes later to their door.
They sighed, as they both thought 'This is it.' before getting out of their beautiful world and into the awful reality.
Karin got up and put on one of the bed-robs that were there, while he did the same before going and opening the door.
A maid was on the other side and had her face downcast when she noticed the attire her masters were in, or rather lacking. After a few moments, she finally spoke.
"Sorry if I'm interrupting anything Hitsugaya-sama but a reply came by the Kuchiki kingdom that they are on their way now and I came to inform you that everything is ready from here as well. We are just awaiting your orders."
"Fine, tell everyone that we'll be down as soon as we dress. If our guests need anything, please obey their every command and make them feel as more comfortable as they can. You may go."
"Thanks Hitsugaya-sama; will do."
After the departure of the woman, he closed the door and turned to his wife who was ready to tears.
He brought her close to his body and hugged her with all his might, as if it was for the last time.
And really, who knew for sure if it wasn't the last time that they were allowed to be like this?
After a long moment in content silence like this, he reluctantly let go to look at her face and more specifically her eyes as it was one of his favorite features on her.
He held her gaze for a few silent seconds before he spoke in a sweat voice.
"As long as I would love to spend the rest of eternity right here with you, we have guests waiting downstairs and a job to do. Why don't you go and get ready for now and I'll meet you outside, what do you say?"
She nodded her head in agreement and let him go completely, but not before a small kiss was planted on his lips. Then, she just opened the door and left the room to go and change.
He sighed and turned around to go change as well.
After a quick shower without bothering doing the time-wasting pre-rituals, he got dressed and also got ready a bag full of clothes and necessities he may need in his trip towards the war that he was sure was coming.
He then opened his door and went outside.
He knocked on Karin's door but when nobody answered, he shrugged and made his way downstairs.
As he had thought, she was already with the rest of them and was hugging her brother, not wanting to let go in case she wouldn't see him again.
Orihime looked more collected… At least she wasn't crying anymore but she was still utterly sad and wounded inside that it was obvious that she wanted to cry again.
When he made his presence known, all heads turned to look at him. He went further inside while looking at Ichigo and talking to him.
"I believe you were informed of the news. The Kuchikis are already on the road so I suggest we begin too."
When he received a nod from him, he turned to the rest.
"Matsumoto, I want you to take care of everything in here and listen to Karin if she orders something, since she will be the head for as long as I'm out. Are we clear…? Good. Now, I would prefer if Orihime-san was to remain here and taken care of since it would be too painful in my opinion to return and be alone. Your father would be taking care of your kingdom if I'm not mistaken, and so it would be a more pleasant atmosphere if she stays here."
He turned to see if anyone had any objections to what he was saying and when no one said anything but just nodded their head he once again turned his attention to his brother-in-law.
"It is time for us to begin then. An army is waiting for us in the gates, ready to leave and two horses are also ready for this trip. Whenever you are ready, we leave."
"Thanks Toshiro… You don't know what this means to us."
"You would have done the same. Besides, what kind of a man would I be if I didn't help another person in-need; much less when this other person belongs to the family of my wife?"
As he said that, he returned the hug that Karin was giving him.
After their goodbyes, Ichigo and Toshiro left the castle to go retrieve the former's baby boy.