Yay for fluff! This chapter is quite fluffy. But something important does come out of it, so pay attention.
As to why I'm updating on a Wednesday again when chapter nine came out Monday of all days-I'm going on a really long vacation tomorrow. To Japan. So... no updates for the next few Sundays. I felt bad about it and so was always intending to update today.

DISCLAIMER GOES HERE. If I owned Bleach, I'd give the Fourth Division a little more backbone. Just a little 'cause they're cute the way they are.

Karin sat under a tree, a book in her hands. She had to read it for school, but she wasn't getting anywhere. In fact, at the moment, she was sleeping.

He appeared by her side, and was surprised to find her asleep. Carefully, Toushirou took the book from her hands and looked at the cover: The Tale of Genji. "No wonder you fell asleep," he said, looking at her. "I don't think this is your type of book." He sat down next to her and replaced the book in her hands.

Her eyes snapped open. "Toushirou!" she exclaimed, looking at the boy sitting next to her. "Why are you here?"

"To visit you, why else? How'd you know I was here?"

"I felt your pressure brush against mine and I woke up. I'm getting better at it, can't you tell?" She looked at him hopefully.

"Better than your brother, that's for sure," he commented. "You're sixteen already; when I visited four months ago you told me about a Hollow on the other end of town that my radar hadn't sensed yet. So I think you're quite proficient at sensing things."

"Well, it takes a lot to impress you, so your approval is always my desire." She grinned, and shut her book. "I was trying to read this book for school but it's so boring."

"No wonder you fell asleep," he snickered.

She shoved him. "You're the one who's always falling asleep at his desk, so I don't think you have any right to speak."

"After I came all this way to see you? I'm hurt, Karin, deeply hurt."

"Shove off," she retorted, but laughed. "Why are you in a gigai?"

"So people can see me with you. If I wasn't, then you'd have to find a private place to talk to me. I saved you the trouble."

A cat-like grin curled her lips. "In that case, we're going on a date."

He stared at her. "What gave you that idea?" he demanded.

She shrugged and stood up. "You're here, in a gigai, and I think that it's high time we had a date."

"Karin, no one else in this town knows me," he began, standing up as well. "If any of your friends or classmates shows up, what are you going to say to them about me?"

"I can make up something," she replied. "Please?"

He looked at her and sighed. "I guess."

"Hooray!" she cried, throwing her hands up. "Come on! I know a good place to go eat lunch."

He laughed and followed her. Karin was so carefree. To see you, Karin, is like breathing a sigh of fresh air after being inside for too long.

She had grown significantly since her supposed illness. Karin's hair was pulled up into a high ponytail and he hadn't seen it down since it was short. She hadn't grown very tall; he supposed that her mother had been short, as Karin was about 5' 2" and, she said, "I'm not about to grow any more so if you plan on growing, take your time." Her sister had gained most of their mother's beauty, but Karin had still matured in more feminine ways than Toushirou suspected she thought she did.

"You're awfully quiet," her voice broke through his thoughts.

He locked eyes with her. "I suppose," he said, "it's because I'm admiring you."

She gasped in surprise but smiled in pleasure. "You flirt!" she teased. "You've been with Matsumoto for far too long," she declared, but her light-hearted smile didn't leave her face.

"That's why I escaped to see you," he replied as they entered the busy café she had led them to.

"You find a table; and preferably one outside. They're out that way," she pointed to another door that led to a deck covered in tables and chairs. "I'll get us food and find you. Don't worry; I know what you like to eat."

"It looks busy; are you sure you'll find me?" he asked.

"If you wander around with as much pressure as you're letting out now, then yes, I will find you." She grinned and disappeared to order food for them.

He rolled his eyes and easily slipped through the crowd and outside to find a vacant table. Toushirou sat and then pulled out his pager. It didn't hurt to survey the town, even if he wasn't on duty.

Ten minutes later, Karin arrived and set a tray in front of him. "It's more of a western style café, but they make good sandwiches. If you don't like it, I'll eat your share." Her lips curled in a smile, daring him to give her his food.

"If it's as good as you say it is then I'm not giving it to you," he answered, and they both began to eat their lunch.

She suddenly grew still, staring past Toushirou. "What is it?" he asked, concerned by her stare.

Her face twisted into a scowl. "It's him," she snarled. "That stupid transfer student that thinks I'm into him."

"When were you going to tell me about him?" he demanded. Slowly, he looked over his shoulder to pinpoint exactly who Karin saw. The teen was tall, had blond hair and blue eyes. He was tan, broad-shouldered—he appeared to be a swimmer.

"I didn't think it worth your trouble," she hissed, glaring at the approaching blond. "Besides, he came two months ago, and I haven't seen you at all since then."

"Karin, what a surprise to see you here," the stranger said, speaking before Toushirou could retort.

"Go away Sam," Karin growled. "Go hit on some other girl who wants your attention."

"But none of them can speak a word of English," Sam protested. "Come on, Karin, I know you find me attractive."

"Hardly. My sister may think that you are a nice person, but I don't trust those blue eyes of yours." Her fingers were clenching the table, and Toushirou was almost sure that claws would unsheathe from her fingertips. "Besides, can't you tell that I'm with someone else at the moment?"

"Oh?" The blond turned his head to see that Toushirou was indeed sitting there. "I didn't see you there. I'm Sam Greene, from Oregon. That's in America."

"Do you mean to insult my intelligence by reminding me where Oregon is?" Toushirou asked calmly, raising his eyebrows. "I think you insult Karin by pursuing her. No wonder she doesn't want to go out with you."

"What would she want with a shrimp like you? You're half as tall as I am."

Now he's done it, Karin thought as she watched Toushirou's eyes become like the ice he commanded.

Slowly, Toushirou stood. He slid his eyes and then turned his face to meet eye to eye with the foreign boy. "You," he began sharply. "Stay away—" the air turned crisp "—from her. She has refused your advances and I'm surprised you're still walking. Usually she gets forceful with idiots who don't listen to her." His eyes turned to slits, looking like chips of blue-green ice. "On top of that, you dare to lay your hands on someone else's girlfriend? Get out," he ordered. "And don't make jibes about height to make you look better."

Once he was gone, the air returned to its normal temperature and Toushirou sat down. "My hero," Karin joked. "Thank you, really. I think you may have made him terrified of being anywhere near me."

"I'm surprised you let it get that far. What happened to not being weak when you grew up?"

She flinched at the memory. "I couldn't do anything about it. He hadn't tried to touch me or anything, and every time I threatened to hit him, he said his parents would sue. I don't know about you, but I don't want to get caught up in international affairs."

"The only thing that could stop you is international trouble," he concluded.

"Yes. I was not being weak."

"Of course not. You were merely biding your time."

She looked and him and tried smothering her smile. "Well, Soul Society must have been boring if you came here."

"Yes, well, I came to see you. I think I already said that. But speaking of international conduct," he said casually. "I have something that one of my subordinates brought back." He pulled a small box out of his jacket. "Here."

She took it and opened it quickly. "Wow," she whispered, pulling out a tiny chest.

"It's from France," he told her. "There should be a key in there." Karin looked back into the box and pulled out an equally tiny key and inserted it. Instead of unlocking, it continued to wind and when Karin let go it let out a sweet tune.

"Tell your subordinate that it's a great gift," she said, winding it again. "I like it a lot." Karin released the key and the music played once more.

"Happy birthday," he said quietly. "I know it was a month ago, so it's quite late." Toushirou's eyes were apologetic.

"So there is a reason why you're here," she exclaimed, pleased. Karin slipped the music box back in its case and into her school bag, which she had brought with her. "Thank you. It doesn't matter that it's late." She got up. "Come on; there's a place I want to go."

He stood and followed her out. They wound their way through the streets and down back alleys, through parks and across ditches, and steadily up. As they walked along a road, Toushirou felt that the area was becoming familiar, but he said nothing about it until the road curved and the guardrail was placed at the top of a hill. "I know this place," he muttered.

"Yes, I think you do. I came running to find you here one day. Come on; you were right, it is the best place to look at the sky." She tugged on his hand and pulled him towards the rail. Karin swung her legs over it and sat, waiting expectantly.

He followed her example and looked down to the sprawling town. "The view is spectacular."

"I like the feel of the wind on my face when I get up here. The feeling you can see everything, and the feeling that you could fly." She spread out her arms and breathed deeply. "What's it like to fly?"

He thought for a few minutes. "I like to feel the air rush about when I fly. I can go whatever speed I want, and so high I feel I'm part of the sky. But I rarely take pleasure flights," he warned her. "It's taxing to use a bankai too much."

She shrugged. "I wasn't suggesting anything. I think you were assuming something you shouldn't have." Her eyes twinkled.

"That was probably the very first reprimand I gave you."

"It was also back when you didn't know my name."

"We've come a long way since then, I think."

"Yeah, I think so too." She sighed contentedly, and leaned against his shoulder.

We've come far, but how far do we have to go? he thought, looking at her. What will happen in the future? I still think of the choice, Karin; the day it will be made is going to come whether we want it to or not. Will we be ready?

Ahahaha, I'm so evil. Toushirou's not letting himself have fun. Next chapter begins the next arc (I think. It doesn't exactly seem like it to me but whatever)! Until then my friends!