A/N: Someone mentioned this idea in a review... Kyubi-Nemu. S/He suggested it over a year ago, and I loved the idea, so here we are. I couldn't add it in before because, obviously, Hanataro and Yuzu had to actually meet first, but as you know by now, that chapter was never written. But here's this anyway. Thanks, Kyubi-Nemu, for the fantastic idea!!!

One Year

An Innocent Picnic... Sort Of

Yuzu flashed Hanataro a shy smile, tucking her legs underneath herself and taking a delicate bite of her apple. It was a lovely day in Soul Society, with the trees just starting to turn a golden brown, and the breeze made the air crisp and fresh. Other students milled about the grounds, but Yuzu was focused completely on the young boy before her, who was currently pulling two sandwiches out of his pack.

He handed her a sandwich with an embarrassed grin, and her own smile grew as she bowed her head in thanks. He blushed slightly and reached back into his bag, pulling out a bottle of water and two wooden cups. She held the cup steady as he poured the water, giggling when he got distracted and spilled the liquid onto her hands.

"Sorry, Yuzu!" he exclaimed, quickly setting the bottle down to grab a towel.

"It's alright, Hanataro," she shook the water off her hand, brown eyes kind. "No harm done."

He looked relieved, and took her hand, moping up the remainder of the drops. He continued to hold her hand even after it was dry, and now her cheeks colored a faint pink. It was all very romantic; fairy-tale-esqué, in a way.

Until a large man with strangely spiky hair ran into the picture and crashed their perfect picnic.

"Who here's a Kurosaki?!"

Yuzu and Hanataro leapt apart as if burned, and Yuzu edged away from the man. She didn't notice a little girl with electric pink hair trailing after him, scanning the crowds with a content smile, as if nothing was amiss with her companion. Which—if Yuzu had known about Zaraki before this encounter—she would have known that was true.

As it was, Yuzu had never heard of this strange person, and was a bit freaked out. She stood, so he wasn't looking quite so far down, and bit her lip, "Um, I'm a… Kurosaki."

His gaze became scrutinizing, sizing her up, cocking his head slightly, "You sure? You're sort of… tiny."

The aforementioned little girl's head popped up on the man's left shoulder, and she beamed at Yuzu, "Hiya! I'm Yachiru! Nice ta meet ya!"

"Yuzu," the frazzled teenager politely shook hands with the pink-haired girl. "I'm positive that I'm a Kurosaki. May I ask why you're looking for one of us?"

The man straightened now that the little girl was done shaking hands. He towered over Yuzu and Hanataro, not even sparing the boy a glance as he talked, "I was told that two Kurosaki's were at the Academy. But you don't even look worthy to challenge, much less fight." He sighed deeply.

Just then, Karin ran over with a certain white-haired captain in close pursuit. She skidded to a stop and bid a numb Hanataro hello before turning to her sister, "Yuzu, what's going on? Is this guy bothering you?"

"Zaraki? What are you doing here?" Toshirou frowned, folding his arms. "You never come here."

"I heard a Kurosaki was in town," the large man huffed. "But it's the wrong one."

Karin glared at him, "Hey, you. You can't just barge in here and interrupt Yuzu's date with your stupid challenge, which I'm assuming was aimed at our brother in the first place."

Zaraki brightened, "Your brother's here?"

"No. He's in the real world."

"And you two weaklings won't hold a candle to him, hmm…"

Karin gasped indignantly, "Says you! I can beat you in a battle any day of the week!"

"She's joking," Toshirou put in quickly. "Karin, you're joking." It wasn't a question.

"He insulted me!"

"Get over your pride and tell him you're joking!"

Zaraki shook his head, "Forget it. I don't like the idea of hitting a girl who couldn't fight back. When your brother comes to town, tell him I wanna see him."

"I can take you on!" Karin insisted.

Toshirou put his hand over her mouth to silence her, nodded to Zaraki, Yuzu, and Hanataro, and literally dragged her away from the picnic. Yuzu watched him take her sister away before turning to Zaraki.

"Mr. Zaraki, I'm really sorry, but we don't really want to fight you. Well, I don't, and Karin won't get the chance now."

Hanataro finally stood up and came beside her, "Leave us alone, now, please. We were trying to have lunch." His hands twitched at having to stand up against someone so large, but he stood his ground.

Zaraki sighed again, sounding as if his world had crashed around him, and ran off. Yachiru chirped a goodbye to them both, and Yuzu and Hanataro sat back down.

"That was… odd," she commented lightly, unwrapping her sandwich.

Hanataro shrugged, "He's weird anyway. How's the food?"

A/N: Aww, I love how protective Toshirou is. :) That's the fangirl in me making him say stuff like that. Anyway, hope you liked this! Reviews are appreciated!