A/N: It occurred to me that reading this story (and my author notes) all the way through in one sitting makes me sound like a flaky lunatic, since I'm always apologizing for the long waits between updates. So, I've decided to send out one universal apology, and that will hold for future chapters. :)
UNIVERSAL APOLOGY!
Now, onto the drabble!
One Year
First Mission
When Karin was deemed ready to do her first field mission, Toshirou knew about it. In fact, he found out so far in advance that he was able to pull a few strings and actually lead the group of in-training shinigami to the real world for Hollow control. It was a small group, with only two other students besides Karin, and the ice captain normally wouldn't have bothered.
Except that a trip into the real world usually spelled trouble, and there was no way in hell he would trust someone like Ikkaku to protect Karin.
So, when Karin topped the small hill to the large gate that led into her world, and her eyes settled on Captain Hitsugaya, standing beside the gate with his arms folded and his sea-green eyes flashing sternly, she groaned audibly.
"You again?" she demanded, storming over to them. Already the other two students were present, grouped a few feet away from the esteemed captain, and gaped at her tone. "Why the hell do you keep popping up? You're like acne," she wrinkled her nose in disgust.
Toshirou scowled, "Miss Kurosaki, I ask you to show the same respect to me that you would to other captains, if you would very well please."
She eyed the two other students and realized that, as comfortable as she was with him, and he her, the young captain did have a reputation to uphold. She could respect that. So she plastered a smile on her face and mock-bowed.
"Forgive me, Captain Hitsugaya," she ignored his pleased look at the actual use of his title. "I was out of line. Please, lead us into the human realm, of which you are ever so knowledgeable."
Hey, even if she respected his reputation, she could still poke fun at him in other ways.
Toshirou glowered at her, and the other two students couldn't figure out why he was so mad at the compliment. They clearly hadn't heard that Karin was actually from the real world.
"Come on, then," he turned around, robe billowing in the afternoon wind. With a wave of his hands, the gate opened, and he led the students through.
Though Karin longed to stop at home and bid her family a fast hello, she knew that Toshirou wouldn't allow such familiarity, at least not when there were two other impressionable students following him around. So she refrained, instead satisfying herself with drinking up the liveliness of her world. When they passed by the school, she faltered, and Toshirou—noticing her staring at her old soccer buddies with longing—stopped the other two students for a "quick lesson." Karin knew that he was giving her time to observe, and was grateful.
"Okay, now. As you all know, the humans can't see or hear us in these particular forms. However, if you ever have a mission in the real world, you will receive a gigai, which is a temporary physical body. Then you can interact with the humans, and if danger comes, you can break away just as easily to do your job. You very well could have to attend a school like this one to maintain your cover, so study it now for future reference."
The two other students stared at the school, and only when Karin glanced at Toshirou did the captain move them along.
Three hours and two hollows later, Toshirou deemed the trip over and was about to create a gate for them to go back to Soul Society when a certain orange-haired teenager ran up to them.
"I knew I sensed you guys!" Ichigo exclaimed proudly, grinning at his sister. "Hey, Karin, how's school?"
She smirked back, "Fine. Thanks for coming to visit."
Ichigo blinked and rubbed the back of his neck guiltily, "I've been busy."
"Ichigo!" another voice cried, and Rukia bounded up beside them. "Next time you feel like taking off, warn me first!"
Karin watched as Ichigo rounded on the tiny shinigami, snarling out a counterargument. The young teenager glanced over at Toshirou, who was glaring at both of the uninvited guests.
"Hey!" the frustrated captain finally called, effectively ending their banter and gaining their attention. "I have a group of trainees here, and you two are disrupting their lesson."
Rukia punched Ichigo's shoulder, "This is why I didn't tell you they were here, Ichigo!"
"You knew? How long have you known?"
"Since the minute they got here, idiot!"
Toshirou growled in irritation and turned to the two students, who were gaping at the bickering pair before them, "Come on, then, let's get back." He opened the gate and nodded to Karin, waiting until she entered behind her peers—but not before casting an exasperated glance at her brother and friend. Once the three were in, Toshirou followed, closing the gate before Ichigo was all the wiser.
A/N: And now that Ichigo's been reminded about his sisters' location, he'll be dropping in for infrequent visits. :P Hope you guys enjoyed it! (And I really do love reviews)