Chapter five: Change

"I thought I told you to stay away from my man."

I turned then, my eyes narrowing at the blonde weirdo who held my wrist tightly in her grasp, her newly acquired acrylics sinking into my skin. "It's not polite to threaten people like this." I said, taking my wrist back and rubbing over the marks she made on my skin. Her blonde followers eyeing me with narrowed eyes and spiteful looks.

She growled, her white teeth grinding together, "I'm sorry but I don't think you realize who you're messing with." I rolled my eyes, why was I the sudden victim of this tramp when I didn't even like Toushiro to begin with, whereas Karin actually does like him.

"Actually I think do," I started, "Your just another one of those little hypocrites who enjoys stereotyping others for your own enjoyment." I smirked at her confused expression as I said it. She obviously didn't know what those words meant. "I suggest you go and find yourself a dictionary labeled: Life's guide to a brainless blonde if you don't know what I meant." From behind her, her army gasped in anger as well as shock at my reply.

Then I turned on my heel to leave, a smug smile on my lips as a warm feeling of accomplishment swam through me. Needless to say, it felt good saying those things to her.

"I wouldn't suspect you of being the kind of girl to use fiery comebacks like that."

The sudden cool and deep voice caught my attention and I turned my head to the side. Toushiro had left at the same time I had, and was now following beside me, hands in his pockets as a smirk graced his handsome features. I would've melted at the thought of him being so close to me, almost touching if I hadn't known my best friend was crushing on him.

"Well, you know what they say; you can't judge a book by its cover."

And it was true, despite many people saying I looked innocent and whatnot I did have a certain fiery temper if pushed to a point. Karin's old self had definitely rubbed off on me.

Beside me, Toushiro let out a small chuckle, his head turned and his eyes met mine. My breathing hitched slightly and my heart felt like it stopped beating. There was something enchanting about his eyes, that once he looked at you, you just couldn't look away—like a strong magnetic pull. If there was one thing I had a weakness for, it was guys with drop dead gorgeous looks, and sexy eyes.

"You know, you're thinking rather loudly."

My face flushed and I tore my gaze away from his, I couldn't stop the blood rushing to my cheeks. I hated it when I did that. Toushiro smirked and put a hand on my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks.

"You know—I like you," He started, a new smirk forming on his lips, "You're different from the other girls that are constantly swooning over me, and the difference being that you're one of the first girls that don't have the hot's for me"

I smiled a tight smile out of nervousness as he said this. "Well, isn't that… great…"

He held out his hand then, a charming smile replacing the sly smirk, "You haven't given me your name yet."

"Oh… right," I took his hand in mine and shook it, "Momo Hinamori" I said quickly, hoping to get away from him to meet up with the others, and I could only imagine what Karin would do to me if she saw us.

"You sound familiar… are you related to Karin?"

I blinked, confused and wondered if she had been bad mouthing about me to him. "Were close friends… I guess."

His gaze lingered on mine, as if deep in thought, "Well then, guess I'll see you 'round, Ja Ne."

I couldn't help the feeling of uneasiness as I watched him walk off in the opposite direction. Perhaps there were a few questions I should ask Karin… no wait, maybe Orihime would be better.

"Ohayo, Hinamori-san!" The bubbly voice chimed as I neared Orihime. She was beautiful, that was for sure. Her eyes bright, smile cheery and warm and the best thing was that, even if I didn't know her well enough, she had this great aura about her, it was welcoming and friendly.

I smiled and perched myself beside her on the bench. Ulquiorra sat on the other side, arms folded over his chest as he leaned his back on the table behind him, his green eyes staring up at the clouds. "A-ano… I was wondering if I could trouble you with a few questions,"

Orihime smiled brighter, nodding her head in approval, "Sure, what's up?"

I bit my bottom lip nervously, "Well… it's about Toushiro and…" My voice slightly trailed off as soon as I said the name. The look Orihime gave me was different, heck; even Ulquiorra had diverted his eyes from the clouds to gaze at me with questioning eyes. I gulped.

"Yes… what about Toushiro…" Orihime insisted.

"Oh, well, I, uh" I cursed myself mentally for my stammering, "How long has Karin, um, you know…"

Her head tilted slightly to the side, her long amber like hair falling elegantly to her shoulders. "Well," she started, putting a finger to her lip in thought, "It's been a really long time, I don't think she's ever liked anyone as much as she likes him…" Ulquiorra looked away, uncaring now about the topic of our small talk, "Actually, I don't think she's liked anyone but him."

There was a small squeeze in my heart as she said it, "And does Toushiro know?"

Orihime shook her head, "At least, I don't think he does, cause if did he hasn't said anything about it."

I nodded, I always knew that beyond Karin's unnaturally cruelness and cold, arrogant ways, beats the heart of an innocent child—that in a way is afraid of rejection. Even if at times she had made me cry here and there, I figure it's just a protective shell she puts on herself.

"Ne… Hinamori-san… do you like Hitsugaya-kun?" Orihime's soft voice spoke.

My eyes widened in shock and my mouth hung open slightly, she had caught me off guard. "Wha-what?" I stuttered nervously, "Iie, iie!"

"Your stammering say's otherwise." The cool and deep crisp voice suddenly spoke up. I glanced at Ulquiorra, who had just recently taken interest in our conversation.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice wavering.

His head turned and his eyes studied me for a moment, "I realize you and Karin are rather close, but it's been a long time since you're departure from her life, things change… people change." That was all he said before he stood up from the bench and left. Orihime glanced from me to him, unsure of what to do; she bowed in apology and quickly excused herself before rushing over to Ulquiorra.

I sat there, bewildered and confused at his words; maybe it wasn't such a good idea for me to have come back.

"Hey! Hina!"

I turned around. Karin had a soccer ball under her arm and was waving at me with her free arm, a wide smile on her face, "You gonna sit there all by your lonesome, or are you gonna come watch me play soccer?"

Whatever Ulquiorra had said, I brushed it off as nothing, there was no way Karin would put a boy over our friendship. I smiled then, so what if people change, that didn't mean that we weren't close, "Sure," I called back, getting off of the bench and walking over to her, "Let's go and watch the master kick a ball around a field."

Karin smirked, "Yeap."

Ah my gad,

I'm really sorry I took so long up-dating.

I know I've been putting off my stories lately.

Anyways, review?

Thank you.