AN: Sorry this took awhile, trying to not procrastinate with future chapters and what not. But the newest Bleach chapter motivated me. Seriosuly, have you seen it! I had a squee fangirl moment when i saw all the shinigami and Rukia come to help Ichigo. (I just hope Tite Kubo take the chance to introduce Karin and Toshiro, if he doesn't, i'm so writing a fanfic for that.)

Okay, so fangirl babble over, this chapter is not really actiony or anything, but the next one will be, probably. Cause well, Karin has tah find Mai cause that's her motivation for this arc.

But yeah, hope you all like, thanks for the reviews. Oh, and Forbidden-Hanyou, I love your HitsuKarin fic, so good, I can tell Yoruichi's gonna have fun.X) Keep up the good work!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, sigh.

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Why was she doing this? Really, was she this desperate?

Yes, you are.

He'll say no, Karin pointed out darkly. Beside not getting off on the right foot with Toshiro, the two hadn't had a pleasant conversation…well, ever. It was highly unlikely he'd just agree to help find some random spirit without any form of compensation. And the young Kurosaki refused to pay that white haired bastard one cent…

Think about Mai, Hi no Shinzo cut in, quickly, before a full on rant about the boy began.

That paused the young woman. Mai was the priority in all this, not Karin's pride. And the zanpakuto spirit knew that. Her partner would do anything for that little girl, even beg the midget captain for help.

"Dammit," Karin muttered, conceding.

So, sucking in a breath, the middle child of Isshin and Masaki put on her game face, firm and unbreakable. Clenching her fists, she pushed the door open, ignoring the usual courtesy of knocking. Thinking back, no one in the Kurosaki family knocked, they either yelled or threw something. Except for Yuzu, but she usually brought cookies.

"Kurosaki." A sharp voice cut through the air, warning clear.

Hearing that, most would squeak apologies and run. Well, except for Matsumoto, who would mutter drunkinly about her taicho needing to 'get some', promptly passing out on the floor.

But, that was beside the point. Right then wasn't exactly a good time to speak to Captain Hitsugaya. He'd finally found the mound of papers stuffed under his couch. Miraculously, Rangiku was missing, as well.

Scowling, Karin shut the door. "Yes, Shiro?" Steam almost shot out of the boy's ears.

Screwing yourself over? Bravo, that takes real skill. A certain amount of snark bled into the double edged voice.

Whatever, was the grumbled response. The girl was still a teen, after all.

Oh! Now who's being immature?

Ignoring Hi no Shinzo, the young shinigami turned back to her 'superior'. She regretted that quickly.

Captain Hitsugaya was clenching and unclenching a fist, trying to calm himself. That girl had been in his office for all of ten seconds, and already had the Ice Shinigami's blood boiling. "What do you want, Kurosaki?" he finally gritted out, expression cool.

A grey eye twitched.

Don't do anything stu-

Scowling deeper, the young woman glared. "Well, for one, I'm Karin, not Kurosaki, Shorty."

-pid…Too late.

"Don't call me that!" Toshiro exploded. "Show some respect for once!" Hands slammed down on the hard wood of his desk, Captain Hitsugaya having jumped from his seat heatedly.

The initial charge in the air grew as Karin felt her short fuse light. "Why should I?" she demanded, voice rising, as did the temperature. Soon, it would be a sauna.

"Because, I'm a taicho, dammit!" Fluctuating, the warmth began to dissipate, replaced by freezing air, cold enough to see one's breath. "And you are my subordinate!"

This your chance!

"So, as a captain, it's your responsibility to help those under you, right?" Karin yelled back, expression still one of anger.

"Of course!" Toshiro snapped.

"Would you help me find someone?"

Captain Hitsugaya didn't hesitate. "Of course!" Silence. Breathing hard, turquoise eyes bored into grey.

A wide grin spread across the younger shinigami's face. "Okay, I'll give you the details tomorrow." Still smiling cheerfully, the Kurosaki made her way to the exit, pausing with a hand hovering over the brass handle. "Thanks, Shorty," Karin threw over a shoulder, making a quick escape.

Guess all those arguements with Ichigo finally helped, a satisfied girl thought, stretching outside the Captain of the Tenth Divison's office. Turning on her heel, robes fluttering, the young woman headed toward the Eleventh Division, a spring in her step.

Congratulations, now, can we go beat up the ninth seat?

A low chuckle escaped Karin's throat. That sounds good. An evil gleam in her eyes, the pair dissappeard, shunpoing away silently. The Mistress of Flash would be proud.

Neither noticed a flash of orange and black.

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A white haired captain stood behind his desk, a pile of paperwork still waiting to be done, blinking. Shaking his head, the Captain of Squad Ten, Hitsugaya Toshiro, child protégé, plopped into his hard chair with a furrowed brow of confusion.

"What just happened?" he wondered aloud, baffled. Did he just agreed to assist Kurosaki? Kurosaki Karin, the one who burned his best haori? What was going on? Ignoring the work awaiting him, the young man tried to fit puzzle pieces together.

He gave up once a belated headache set in.

Outside the office, a busty, strawberry blond pressed an ear to the door. Taking a swig of sake, she frowned. "Ukitake," she muttered grumpily, "You win this round."

"Rangiku?" A furious voice yelled from the room.

"Shit."