Chapter 10

It's Time to Leave

Karin pushed the strap from her backpack higher up on her shoulder. She blew into her cold hands as she looked up at the dark sky. Daylight, she realized, won't be here for another hour or so.

It was late last night when Karin told her father and sister that she would be away for a few days- realistically speaking, she has no idea how long she would be gone, but saying that would only worry her family. She hated lying to them- saying that she was going to a surprise camp with the soccer team. But, she feared what would happen if she decided to stay home instead of accompanying Toshiro, Renji, and Ichigo.

Still, Karin was gravely worried even though her family would be constantly monitored by the other soul reapers. She couldn't help but ponder the 'what ifs'- what if the mysterious person decided to target Yuzu instead, what if said person takes out the soul reapers, what if those weird hollows appear again.

She was anxious; she knew this. It's the same as if she were preparing for a soccer game- nerves wracking her small frame and the nagging fear of letting her team down. She should be used to this sensation by now, but for some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling away. It's different, she realized, when lives are at stake.

Squeezing her eyes shut, Karin began to inhale and exhale, calming her racing heart and clearing her cluttered mind. The last thing she needed was to be hindrance or come off as some fragile china doll that needed to be tended to with the utmost care. "I'm stronger than that," she assured herself, opening her eyes to look at the sky once again- now lighter than before.

"Did someone doubt your strength?" Toshiro approached the ravenette, stopping beside her.

Karin flinched. She couldn't even hear him come up from behind her. "I really must be on edge," she thought as she flashed a confident grin towards the captain. "Nope!" Clasping her hands behind her head, Karin did her best to appear relaxed.

"It's okay to be nervous, Karin." Toshiro softened his expression as he peered up at the sky. "But, Ichigo, Renji and I will not let anything happen to you."

"I know," Karin answered. She tilted her head down to stare at her shoes, allowing her lips to pull into a half-smile. She shifted her eyes to the right, peering through her hair at the captain standing beside her. Eyeing him up and down, Karin realized two things: one being that Toshiro was in his gigai- clad in a turquoise-collared shirt that beautifully matched his eyes with a black jacket accompanying it, and the other being that she couldn't pull her eyes away from him. It was almost as if she was in awe at the mere sight of him. She understood that this is probably the worst time to be thinking about how attractive the captain looks, but at the same time, studying his features closely put her at ease- a feeling she's been desperate for.

"Karin?" Toshiro glanced at the ravenette, noting how she quickly looked back down- allowing her hair to hide her face once more. "Something wrong?" He watched as she frantically shook her head. He too shook his head before directing his eyes back to the sky, making it seem like he was interested in the rising sun when he was really thinking about the blush painted on Karin's pale cheeks. And, something tells him that it wasn't from the cold.

"How are you feeling?" Karin questioned suddenly as she gestured towards the captain's chest.

Toshiro looked down, placing his hand over the welt on his chest. To say he was concerned about this wound would be an understatement. But, it was not his life he was worried for, it was Karin's, Renji's and Ichigo's. He realized he was faced with this biting reality that he could collapse at any moment- which, for him, translated to collapsing during battle. The captain was very well aware that Ichigo and Renji were capable of protecting themselves as well as Karin, but he couldn't help but dawdle on the 'what ifs'- thoughts he always pondered but chose to ignore. He knew how life-threatening it can be to be distracted during battle- he's witnessed it as well as experienced it.

Toshiro let his hand fall back down to his side. Looking weak in front of Karin was the last thing he wanted to do for the sake of strategic reasons as well as personal reasons- reasons he was still trying to decipher. "I'm fine," he finally answered, mentally cursing himself for hesitating to respond.

"You aren't worried that you may get sick again while we are out there?"

'Of course I'm worried' is what he wanted to say but he had to remain calm. Instead he decided on a simple "No."

"Then, I won't be worried either," Karin finally looked up at the captain, revealing her reddened face.

Toshiro slipped his hand into Karin's, lacing his small fingers with her equally small fingers. "A perfect fit" he thought as he gave her hand a tight squeeze before drawing his hand away. "This will all be fine. You'll see."

"Right," Karin replied, sighing as she heard her usual confident tone return in her voice. She watched as Toshio excused himself to go talk with Rangiku. That conversation, she noticed, made her feel much better than she felt a few minutes before. She was still worried- that was something she couldn't help. But, Toshiro's reassurance helped a lot. She lifted the hand that was just in contact with Toshiro's, smiling as she wriggled her fingers. "Things will be okay," she muttered.

"Yea they will," Ichigo laughed as he slapped his hand down on Karin's shoulder, ignoring her now twitching eyebrows.

"Why are you so loud in the mornings?" Karin knocked Ichigo's hand away from her shoulder.

As if on cue, Renji raced outside, shouting a loud "Ichigo!" before walking up to him.

"I'm not as loud as him," Ichigo muttered before turning to greet Renji. "What's up? Why are you so happy right now?"

"Because I'm ready to kick this guy's ass!" Renji yelled.

"You shouldn't underestimate him," Ichigo warned, surprising himself at his serious tone.

"Once he gets a taste of Zabimaru, he will regret ever messing with us!" Renji spoke confidently.

Ichigo rolled his eyes before walking back to Karin. Looking down at his sister, he asked, "Are you sure about this?"

"Of course I'm sure," Karin responded flatly.

"It's going to get dangerous, Karin," Ichigo said. He, along with everyone else, was worried. But, he was also pissed- pissed at the guy who put Karin in danger. He hated, more than anything, when his family was put in harm's way. It made his blood boil and awakened a different, more violent side of him. But, at the same time, he was thankful for this angered feeling for he was the type of person who fought based on emotions. The angrier he was, the harder he fought. He knew that this fighting style was dangerous on one too many levels- and he was often scolded for it. But, his emotions served as his drive. Therefore, he knew he would fight in this battle with everything he had and more. "No holding back" he thought.

"Ichigo, I'm not some little kid anymore." Karin crossed her arms, sticking her hip out and cocking her eyebrow.

Ichigo breathed out a light laugh before ruffling Karin's hair, regretting that moments later when he was kicked in the shin. "That kick has gotten stronger," he hissed through gritted teeth.

"Of course it has. I have soccer to thank for that." Karin tilted her chin up and threw her shoulders back, mustering up a look between proud and arrogant. "I plan on practicing while we wait. I don't want to get behind."

"Whatever," Ichigo said. "Don't ask me to practice with you."

"Why would I do that," Karin asked through a laugh. "You suck at soccer."

"I do not!" Ichigo bent down until he was eye level with his sister, sneering at her as she stuck her tongue out.

"Are you two finished?" Renji and Toshiro walked towards the bickering siblings. "It's about time to head out," the red-head said.

Ichigo straightened his back and glanced down at Karin, shooting her a questioning look.

Karin nodded at her brother, changing her expression to what she hoped was a look of determination.

"We're ready," Ichigo answered.

The group walked towards a mass of trees to the left of them. This forest lied on the outskirts of Karakura Town. About half way in, there's a small cave that the group decided would serve as their destination- providing protection from the weather as well as the battle.

Stopping before they entered the forest, the four exchanged glances with one another. Once there appeared to be in a mutual agreement to leave, the group began walking into the forest, quickly being devoured by the masses of trees.

"I'm so bored," Ikkaku whined. He, Yumichika and Rangiku were spread out on the roof of the Kurosaki's house. They had been carefully watching Yuzu and Isshin as well as the surrounding area for hollows.

"Yumi, let's fight!" Ikkaku drew his zanpakutō as he approached his friend.

"Wouldn't you rather fight me? I am a lieutenant after all," Rangiku made a scene of flipping her long hair back behind her shoulder and gesturing towards her lieutenant's badge.

Ikkaku cocked his eyebrow before turning back to Yumichika. "So, you ready to fight?"

Yumichika ignored Ikkaku's question as well as the whines coming from Rangiku. He narrowed his eyes, shifting his purple orbs from left to right. "Do you feel that?" He finally asked, positioning his hand to hover over his zanpakutō.

Ikkaku and Rangiku fell silent- both sensing the uneasy feeling in the air around them.

The sound of a loud growl had the three soul reapers moving in an instant. The trio reached the owner of the growl- a fairly large hollow located a short distance away from the Kurosaki's house. "Let me handle this," Ikakku suggested- a devious grin playing on his lips. "Go back to the house."

Rangiku and Yumichika hesitated- both thinking back to the hollows that could not be harmed that they faced a few days before. Finally, they nodded. They both knew that even though Ikkaku was ranked third in the eleventh squad, he was still considered one of the stronger soul reapers.

"If you don't return in five minutes, we are coming back," Yumichika stated before turning to go back to the house.

"I only need one minute," Ikkaku mumbled before approaching the hollow. "Finally! Something fun to do!"

And, there is chapter 10! Sorry for the delay! Also, sorry in advanced for grammar errors! (I feel like even though I have proof read twice, there are still gonna be a few)

Thank you for all the reviews, favorites, and follows and I hope everyone enjoys!