A/N: I am going to apologize now, but after this chapter the story will probably not be updated until either late tomorrow night or the following day at some point. I have to drive five hours back home tomorrow and I have heard that typing and driving is not exactly safe. I'm also sorry that this chapter is so short. The next one will cover a lot of ground though, so I will compensate. Don't worry. So, I'm sorry, but I will finish the next chapter as soon as I can. Thanks for understanding, now START REVIEWING!

Chapter 8: First Time in a Long Time

As the two basked in the afterglow of their realizations, the air around them began to gradually warm up again, the ice beneath their knees melting, dampening both of their pants. Luckily, it was enough to send them both crashing back to Earth, sighing as they realized that the night needed to end at some point. Placing one final kiss on her forehead, Toushirou rose from his kneeling place, reaching both hands down to aid her in standing as well. "We need to get back. The others will begin to worry." He stated.

"Or suspect…" Karin snickered slightly and offered.

Silently, the two Soul Reapers began the short trek back to her home. This time, Toushirou didn't allow their hands to bump occasionally, deciding instead to lace his fingers through Karin's, squeezing her hand gently to reassure her that he didn't regret the night.

"It's so strange," Karin muttered, "Last time that we were here I was twelve years old and wearing biker shorts. Now I'm here making out with the guy that tossed me my soccer ball and got irritated with me for interrogating him."

Toushirou smiled softly at the thought, recalling that day in his mind. As they continued to walk, he closed his eyes and just enjoyed the freedom of the feeling. Somehow, it felt like there was a weight lifted off of his chest. He felt lighter…

As they reached the house, they noticed that all of the lights were off. Looking at his watch, Toushirou realized that it was nearly one in the morning. Karin turned to face him and placed her hands on his chest, splaying her fingers against his toned pectoral muscles. "So, what does this make us now?"

He sighed and closed his eyes. He knew that this question was bound to surface by the end of the night. He had even tried to come up with a good response, but found that he couldn't find the right words to say under the circumstances. "I'm not sure…this is something that we are going to have to discuss tomorrow, I guess."

She nodded softly, closing her eyes and letting her fingers trace his jaw line. "You don't realize just how much I really missed you."

He barely disguised the startled look that threatened to graze his features, "What do you mean?"

She smiled and said, "It was shortly after you left that I began to have my dreams. I figured initially that they had something to do with you. I still don't fully understand, but I guess I will probably never know. Somehow, those dreams made me feel connected to you in some way. I can't explain it, so don't ask. They just really made me miss you. That's all…"

He sighed and closed his eyes too, pulling her into one last embrace as they prepared to part ways. "We leave for the Seiretei tomorrow at noon. You won't need to pack anything. We will probably be leaving your body here too. I am going to speak with Head Captain Yamamoto first thing in the morning. You may join me if you like, since it is about you. I don't see why he would mind. I think that you have the right. Just try to get some sleep tonight and I'll come get you in the morning when I plan to meet with him. It has all been arranged already."

She nodded and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "So I shall see you in the morning. We can talk more about all of this tomorrow. You need to try to sleep too. We can't afford another dragging day like today. Coffee isn't going to save us from sleeping in that Official Captains Meeting tomorrow night."

Toushirou allowed a small snicker before pulling away from her and opening the door to let her enter, kicking their shoes off out of habit. "So, I guess this is good night?" She asked.

He nodded. "Indeed. I'll see you in the morning. Sleep well, Karin."

"Sleep well, 'Shiro." She replied, dropping his hand and disappearing down the hallway.

He sighed as he remembered the events of the last hour. He still couldn't grasp how he had allowed himself to fall apart like that. He had never fallen apart in someone's arms before. It had always been the other way around. Oh well. I guess there is a first time for everything.

He carefully laid the bed sheets back out on the couch and removed his shirt, replacing it with a thin white undershirt that covered his torso, leaving his arms exposed. Crawling into the makeshift bed, he took a deep breath as he allowed his mind, for the first time in a very long time, to rest…