[EDITED: 01-31-14] Nope this is not a new story, just an edited, old fic. Go figure? :P
DISCLAIMER:I do not own Bleach.
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Fine Line
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i
The moment she becomes curious. The time she begins to care. The minute she starts to worry.
That very second she falls, Karin has known she's a goner.
She shouldn't have let her guard down. She should have been more careful so as not to be a victim of such trap. Above all, she should have known that it is not impossible to fall for a person as cold as him.
Hitsugaya Toushirou. The man who's betrothed to her.
A person whose eyes are filled with aloofness, with distance—the barrier that he has managed to build in between him and the rest of the world.
And a person who has never learned to open his heart for anyone.
Six months. A period that their parents have given them to know each other, living in one roof, working things out on them.
A game that, back then, Karin was confident to win. Half-year was going to pass and her feelings would never change for she wasn't interested at a self-centered hotshot.
But she's not ready...
for the betrayal of her own heart.
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A matinée idol, a boy-next-door, a town heartthrob all rolled up into one; Hitsugaya Toushirou is a genuine article of physical beauty, Karin has realized.
...if only he knows how to smile.
Ice is his element. His name, some of his features, his interests and his personality prove this fact.
He is not as bad as she initially thought he is, she has learned. He doesn't act all-high-and-mighty despite his wealth. Never has he bragged about what he owns and never has he looked down at other people. Even if he always speaks with an air authority, he never gives the attitude which implies he is a god. Additionally, he would show his concern to others from time to time, though he doesn't notice it himself.
He's only trying to hide his soft side with the blasé façade.
"Are you alright?" Even if all words are covered with his mastered indifference, she still knows (or, at least she wants to believe) that he actually cares.
Smiling up at him, Karin has got only an emotionless expression from him. "I'll live. It is only a small cut, Toushirou."
It is a known fact to everyone that Hitsugaya Toushirou doesn't want any person calling him by his given name. He doesn't like anyone acting so familiar with him. And it is proven right as his brows knit in disapproval.
But Karin can't help it because, more than she's willing to admit, she actually loves the name. Other than that, she had used to live with a family where informality is a routine.
"Do you even know how to cook?" It is not a question to start a friendly conversation, but just to clear the doubts.
As Karin shrugs, the answer that she has given is neither less nor more than the whole truth. "I still want to try and do something. I just don't want to be a burden while I stay here."
She is aware that they are brought here together against their deliberate wishes. They don't have any feeling for each other; not even at the slightest. They are hardly acquainted to begin with.
With that said, she really shouldn't give a damn on what he has said before turning his back and leaving her. But his account is too harsh, sharper than a knife that has aimed her heart.
"Don't bother. Five months, and you'll already leave anyway."
Unwanted; that is what she has felt about herself. She stands there, affronted, wondering.
Is it really not possible for him to drop his apathetic exterior? Why is he so wary of showing his true feelings?
And sure they don't really like each other, but is there no hope for them to become friends at least?
Toushirou has got the answers, but Karin doubts if he will let her know.
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Woman-hater who was born from long-bygone days. A clandestine story that she wants to unfold. Was the past experience too agonizing to leave a wound in his heart that's too impossible to heal? She's desperate to uncover the truth, but she doesn't know where to start.
On the other hand, one thing is certain. She has been subjected to stereotype. Toushirou is being distant to her because he thinks she's nowise different to the woman who had shattered his heart. Karin wants to prove him wrong, but how? He wouldn't even let her stay anywhere near the closed door of his heart.
"What do you want?" A question that has escaped from her, after opening the door of her room, her approach not too antagonistic neither welcoming.
"Dinner is ready," Toushirou replies shortly, before his gaze shifts from her face down to her figure.
Karin notices how his eyes have darkened, and it then occurs to her that she's clad only in a towel, exposing some of her skins. In front of a person who abhors her, no less.
She has suddenly become conscious of her predicament; she feels hot under his penetrating stare.
There's no mistaking it. The thing that has clouded his eyes...
is none other than lust.
None the less, it quickly disappears and Karin hears Toushirou scoff. "I do not know if my parents were on their right minds when they told me that you're a decent woman. As far as I have known, decency doesn't include flashing your body to someone who is practically a stranger."
That has totally got to Karin's nerve. No one had ever dared to step on her dignity. No one. Ever.
"Are you really this kind of person?" she asks, glaring at him, "I do not have any idea of what happened to your past relationship, but do you seriously need to bend all your frustrations on me?! I hadn't done anything to you, had I?! You're so unreasonable! Maybe I am right after all! You're a cold-hearted jerk!"
She closes the door, rather forcefully, and turns on her heels. Briefly, she has thought that Toushirou had already left, but she's surprised when he slams the door open and walks to her.
"Listen here, woman," he sneers, gripping her wrist harshly. "Of all the things that I hate is when someone had dared to slam my own door right in front of my face."
Glowering, Karin yanks her hand away from him as her other hand tightly holds her towel to keep it from falling. She grabs his shoulder, digging her nails on it, and growls, "If you're trying to intimidate me, then I tell you you're not doing a good job. I'm not terrified."
And she isn't. No, she is pissed.
But Toushirou just laughs humorlessly. "You've really got the nerve."
Karin is going to berate him, throw profanities if necessary, but she has suddenly found herself unable to speak a word because Toushirou has already covered her mouth...
with his.
Without any defense, she's held captive on his kiss. Relentless. Painful. Bitter.
Uh-huh, Hitsugaya Toushirou really hates her...
and she can't figure out why.
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