OMG! It's the first one-shot (of any sort) that Makami has written - and finished - in probably over a year. Please enjoy it. This is an early release of the first UtCT entry since Angelic Tales was resurrected about two weeks ago (lol). If there are any spelling/grammatical errors, please forgive me. It's late, and the spell checker doesn't make sure that all of my words are in the right tense (I just noticed that I kept putting thing in the negativc and past tense as I wrote this little blurb up here. haha).

Spoiler Warning: Do not read if you have not finished the first season of Kamichama Karin. If you don't care about spoilers, then please go ahead.

Ring
Kamichama Karin

Karin sat down on her bed.

Himeka had finally been saved, and all of the rings had been broken. The fighting was finally over, and life as she knew it had returned to normal.

Though with all of the recent revelations, she wasn't sure just how "normal" that really was.

She found herself constantly thinking about everything that Kirihiko Karasuma has said to her that night. That she was really the reincarnation of "Suzuka Kujou", and that Kazune was the clone of her husband "Kazuto Kujou".

It's like something out of a shoujo manga, she mentally sighed.

"What are you thinking about? Shi?" Shii asked as she hopped up onto the bed next to Karin.

"N-Nothing, Shii-chan," Karin replied, blushing furiously. She laughed nervously, wracking her brain for a change of topic. She sighed, still half laughing, as she came up with nothing.

Shii tilted her head to the side. "Nya?"

A blessing came in the form of a knock on her bedroom door at that moment. Karin's laughter subsided and she hopped to her feet. She swung the door open, smiling broadly.

"Hii" her expression fell slightly "Ka-Kazune-kun. Haha… ha…"

Kazune stood awkwardly in the hallway, his hands shoved into his jean pockets. His mouth was turned in a half-frown. His eyes were cast downwards, focused on something that only he could see.

"C-Can I help you, Kazune-kun?" she chirped. She laughed again, this time quieter.

He was silent for a moment, and closed his eyes. A sigh escaped his lips; his shoulders slumped.

"Karin," he began. He fell silent again, his mouth moving as if he was trying to say something but just couldn't force out the sound. He sighed again.

"What is it, Kazune-kun?"

"…if you're… not busy… do you want to go for a walk? With me?" he mumbled. His cheeks flushed a light pink.

His eyes flickered to her face, then returned to the ground.

A new smile spread across her features and she felt her face heat up. Was he asking her out on a date? The very thought excited her. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

She sucked in a deep breath. "Y-Yes!"

Pink tinted his cheeks, and it was his turn to let out a nervous laugh.

"Good. Meet me downstairs in ten minutes, okay?" he instructed her. He sounded more confident now.

Karin nodded. "Alright!"

He stood there, staring at her dumbly for a few moments. Finally he turned and walked away.

Karin smiled to herself as she watched him.

Ten minutes later Karin found herself standing alone at the front door. She had hardly had the time to pick out her cutest white dress, matching shoes and accessories; and, then get changed into them. She'd managed to do it all on time, somehow.

Where is he? she wondered, sneaking a glance at her watch. Kazune was already two minutes late.

"Hanazono-san!" Michiru's voice echoed throughout the silent hallways. A moment later he came bounding down the stairs, a wolfish grin on his face.

"Mi-Micchi!" she exclaimed.

"Hanazono-san!" he repeated. He reached the bottom stair and lunged for her.

She dodged to the left. But - with reflexes that only a wild animal should possess - he moved with her, and before she could attempt to evade him again he threw his arms around her.

"You're so mean, Hanazono-san!" he pouted. He rested his chin comfortably on her shoulder.

"What are you talking about, Micchi?" she asked, confused.

He made a small whining noise. "Going on a date with Kazune-kun and not inviting me!" He made another noise. "You're so mean!"

"What the hell are you talking about, Micchi!?" she repeated, heat raising in her voice this time. "Ka-Kazune-kun and I aren't going on a date!"

"Ooh?" he cooed, nuzzling her neck.

Karin blushed deeply, both from the embarrassment of his uncalled for affection, and by the thought of going on a date with Kazune.

"Micchi!" she stammered.

"Then, can I come with you?" he asked.

Karin fell silent, realizing the trap she'd just walked into. It wasn't a date, right? Even though she'd gotten dressed up for it, Kazune hadn't called it a date. She'd been mistaken about these things before. He'd asked for a walk. It was just a walk between two friends.

"I-I guess," she sighed.

"Making plans without me?" Kazune commented sourly.

Karin glanced to the staircase, where Kazune stood, glaring at them.

"Kazune-kun!" she exclaimed.

"Kazune-kun!" Michiru echoed her, finally releasing her from his grip. "Ah, let's all go on a wonderful walk together!"

Kazune continued to glare at them as he headed for the door. His eyes flickered to Karin for a moment, and she realized that he was pouting.

He rubbed the back of his head and growled, "Girls… they're so weak willed!"

"Eh? What!?" she huffed.

-----

The "walk" had ended before it had even begun, as far as Karin was concerned. After his comment, Kazune hadn't spoken a single word. Michiru had made several attempts at striking up a conversation, but she hadn't felt like talking, either.

Karin stared up at the blossoming cherry trees that they were passing under. Petals danced on the wind before they fluttered to the ground. It would have the perfect date scene, if they hadn't been fighting - and if she hadn't allowed Michiru to come.

Kazune growled loudly, rubbing the back of his head.

"I'm going back home," he amounted, abruptly turning around and starting into a run.

"Kazune-kun!" she called after him.

"I guess he didn't appreciate my company," Michiru sighed, accompanied by a quiet laugh.

"Micchi, I'll see you back at home!" Karin shouted as she ran after Kazune.

Kazune hadn't gotten very far when she caught up to him. He'd stopped around the corner, in fact.

"Kazune-kun!"

He stared at her with wide eyes, then looked away.

"Karin…"

"Kazune-kun, I'm sorry," she apologized.

He shrugged.

"It's fine."

"Kazune-kun…"

He dug into his pocket suddenly and pulled out a small black box.

"Here."

She stared at him for a moment before taking the box. She opened it, revealing a ring with a floral design on it.

"Ka-Kazune-kun…" She blushed.

"You lost yours during the battle against Karasuma, right?" she said awkwardly.

Karin nodded, smiling. "Thank you, Kazune-kun."