I don't own Bleach.
"good job, karin. you did it. i knew you could."
They alternate. Some days watching sunsets, some days playing soccer.
It's a good system they have.
Toshiro notices that Karin no longer sits so dangerously, and Karin notices Toshiro no longer holds back at his questions.
"Toshiro," Karin gets his attention after a pretty, violescent sunset. "I think I don't want to die anymore." She smiles.
(This is her thank you.)
"Good."
"I want a happy ending too," Karin relishes. "With you."
"Good," he returns her smile with a smirk, and they don't say anything because there's nothing that needs to be said.
Together, they watch the city, and for the first time, Karin thinks she sees a star.
She hopes it's not an illusion.
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Please
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"Are you going home?" Toshiro gets up.
"No, not yet. I'm just going to sit here a while longer."
"Get home safe, Karin," Toshiro waves goodbye.
"Yeah, you too."
His steps retreat, and Karin is alone.
"Yuzu? Dad? Am I doing okay? Are you proud of me?" Karin blew a breath. She gave one last glance at the city below her before getting off the railing.
When she turns around the bend, bright lights greet her. She doesn't feel the pain.
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Listen Close Because I'm Calling
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Toshiro was almost to his house when he saw the ambulance speed from the old highway. Dread washes over him.
He knew it was Karin.
Some part of him just knew.
Without a moment's hesitation, he dashes after the vehicle.
In the back of his head, he laughs acidly because it was too good to last.
He should have walked her home.
And so, through the despair and desperation for something better, for an ounce of luck he never seemed to have, there is regret.
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"Stabilize her!"
"She's losing too much blood!"
"Get the transfusion! Hurry! We don't have much time!"
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"You're the one who saved Karin," a tall man with orange hair approaches him. They're in the waiting room, wishing for news of Karin. It doesn't look good.
Toshiro scrutinizes the stranger's appearance. His mouth is in a deep scowl, and his eyes seem tired and tortured.
He's experienced in the field of waiting, Toshiro decides.
He knows what's going to happen.
"I didn't do anything. We're both here, aren't we?" Toshiro mumbles.
"She didn't jump," he states. "If she didn't meet you, I know she would've eventually, but she didn't."
No, Toshiro insists in his mind, I didn't do anything.
I wasn't enough to protect her.
The man thinks the exact thing because Karin is the last of his family, his precious sister.
And he wasn't enough to protect her either.
Toshiro remains silent, and the man walks away, done with what he has to say.
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It's another two painstakingly long hours.
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Karin wakes up to a blinding light.
Her sight stabilizes, and she sees two figures.
Yuzu and her father.
When she realizes who they are, her legs turn to jelly and her clenched hands cover her face in anguish.
"Shh... It's okay, Karin," they soothe, hugging her.
"I did my best..." she sobs. "I really did."
"We know you did," Yuzu comforts.
"I wanted to live, and now I'm dead, aren't I?"
"Yes."
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Listen
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Toshiro hears the news and he falls to his knees in disbelief.
"She wanted to live," the doctors assure him. "She fought hard, but there was too much bleeding. We're sorry for your lost."
"She wanted... to live..." Toshiro repeats.
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To Me
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"Toshiro."
He knows that voice.
"Hey, c'mon sleepy head. I've been waiting for a looong time. I don't want to wait anymore."
He opens his eyes and breathes, "Karin." She hasn't aged, and Toshiro looks like he's nineteen again.
"The one and only," she grins. "Ready for a happy ending?"
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I'm Listening.
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FIN
This was supposed to be much sadder, but I felt like it was sad enough. That happens a lot. I just can't make a real sad story. Sigh. Well, hoped you liked it. It was fun to write.
I considered "Listen Close Because I'm Calling" to be the title, but it seemed real long for me. Ah well. I added into the story, so it's all good. X)
How Toshiro lives without Karin is up to your imagination. I don't think he lived that long without her though. Karin was just exaggerating.
And in case anyone was wondering, the bold, italicized thing at the beginning of each chapter is what Yuzu said to Karin when she was still alive.
See you next time? Maybe?