Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of the characters
A/N: Hey you guys, i suggest that you really read my Author's note. It's REALLy important. All I have to say is that I'm sorry for the VERY late update; for that, I deeply apologoze. Also, I wanted to explaint this chapter and the chapters to come. I kind of discarded the plot for the moment and focused on Toushiro's/ Karin's story for finding love. This Story is the first part for when it explains the arising feelings in between them, as well as the tragedy. So, this is the first part of their relationship. The next chapters will go deeper and finally, finalzie their relationship. I went into their story because I got many requests-thankfully-by people to slow down the plot and focus on their relationship. That's what I am going to do. Finally, these chapters will help with the plot as the story progresses. Thanks for reading.
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Chapter Three: Our Story Part One
Karin loved Toushiro.
From the first time Karin met Toushiro coincidentally walking from the dewy field, kicking the damp soccer ball repititionally up into the air, her life was never the same. Her deep, long-lashed eyes were bright while her short black locks flowed gently in the wind that day. The sky that day was a light baby-blue color, with no clouds hovering lazily there. Just as her foot connected with the soccer ball once again, it escaped the net it was enclosed in and fell down a hill where inevitably…
…a guy named Toushiro returned it to her.
After he left back to Soul Society, she didn't see him for a multiple amount of years. He of course had duties to attend to as a Gotei thirteen captain, while she had school and soccer imprinted on her mind twenty-four seven. Eventually, all the years escaladed and she was a senior in high school, knowing full well what her career path would be. Her lifelong dream was to become a soccer coach, that way she could keep doing what she loved.
During those years when he was gone, she'd find that spirits seemed to gather near her more. As she walked home from school, or went to lunch with her friends, they would always be there. She told Yuzu about what was happening to her, but could she do? After a little while of dealing with the pending spirits she told Ichigo.
Ichigo, during that time in her life was attending college for a medical degree. When Karin informed him over a phone call about what had been happening to her, he immediately grew concerned. A few days prior, was when Toushiro returned.
Karin could visualize the image of Toushiro returning, so vividly as if it were yesterday. It was a few days after her graduation, so she was packing up her things at home. Yuzu was helping her but she had gone downstairs to prepare for dinner.
Karin, packing up the last of her pants went to Ichigo's room and looked inside for a moment, wishing he was here. The room had a faint smell of cinnamon and herb leaves. There was a thin layer of dust on the windowsill, and dressers. Seeing the bed made, while the sheets were unruffled and stiff, made her wish he was still here. Her deep eyes had a sad glint shimmering in the depths.
Then, during that moment, the window in his room opened. Karin looked up, squinting her eyes a little as a chill breeze washed over her slowly. Her eyes began to widen as she soon realized who it was.
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Toushiro.
He was crouched down on the window, robes whipping around him with a familiar scowl etched upon his face. His brooding teal eyes widened slightly at the sight of her as well, making the years between them more obvious. She had found that his hair was longer, eyelashes more fairly prominent. The jawbone of his face was more articulate and his eyes even more sharper than before.
Toushiro began to study over her as well. Her ebony hair had grown longer, and her face had grown more angular. Soft curves marked her body, while her aura was slightly different from before. Her eyelashes were far more obvious. Lips more shaped and rosy colored then before.
They stayed there, staring at each other in mild surprise.
"Toushiro?" Karin inquired with a slight glimmer of confusion in her eyes. Her voice was softer, and gentler then before although it still held that roughness which Toushiro found vaguely attractive.
"Karin." His lips parted slightly, and a rare flash of warmth sparked in his eyes. Her eyes did the same soon after. "Where's Ichigo?" His scowl deepened, as well as the furrow between his eyebrows.
A smile began to form on her lips, and a light laugh began to echo around the room. A snow white brow rose while Karin put a both hands behind her head, grinning at him. "C'mon Toushiro. I'll tell you after dinner."
Toushiro jumped into the room smoothly; his stature purely professional. "I have orders to attend to Karin," his voice slightly annoyed. "As a captain, I must fulfill them. I felt his reiatsu strongly here…that's the only reason why I came."
Karin laughed again, hating how uptight he was. It was just as if it were the first time she met him, all those years ago…She looked over at him with a light smirk gracing upon her lips. "Oh, you're such a dummy Toushiro!"
Toushiro's eyebrows twitched as he closed his eyes with mild patience. "Karin…" he faintly growled underneath his breath. For some odd reason, he actually hoped that Matsumouto was here with him. Although, if she were here, she would insist have them actually eating…never mind that thought.
Then Karin began to walk over to him, reaching out and ruffling his snow-white locks with a raspy laugh. Her hand lingered in his hair, soon realizing how soft his locks were. He looked down at her, a slightly annoyed look upon his face as well as something else entwined with his emotions. Their eyes locked heavily, and he realized how close they were standing. His pants legs were brushing her bare, toned legs which he wanted to stop thinking about for some reason…
"We haven't seen each other in years," Karin reasoned, with a soft tone underlying hidden emotion. "I'm sure it can wait just half an hour. Besides, I'm sure Yuzu would like someone else trying her food," she grinned. "Also..." she whispered a trace of pink brushing across her cheeks. His eyes widened. "…I missed you too."
"Whatever," he frowned, looking away so she wouldn't see his cheeks flushing pink as well.
Then Karin grinned warmly again, and grabbed his hand with a small chuckle. "Let's go, Yuzu is probably worried about what's taking me so long."
As soon as they got downstairs Toushiro realized that she hadn't let go of his hand yet. Also, the house was the same as it was before. The feeling was warm, and every part of this dwelling seemed to be touched by love. Then he glanced over at her from the corner of his eyes. She was oddly quiet and looking around the house with almost, a nostalgic look in her eyes. His eyes narrowed. Just as he was opening his mouth to say something Yuzu yelled from the kitchen,
"Karin, dinner is ready!"
Karin looked back at him and said, "C'mon Toushiro!"
Once they got to the kitchen Yuzu's eyes widened with realization, remembering Toushiro from all those years ago. A dirty white apron adorned her figure, while she was still holding a spatula in her hand, raining down droplets of curry. As she watched them sit down at the dinner table, Toushiro scowling while Karin curious, she grinned. She felt in the teasing mood for today.
Soon the food was set on the table, and Yuzu was joining them, grabbing the chair across Toushiro. She watched him for a little while, looking on with amusement the way he stared at the food purposefully while sometimes glancing over at Karin. Sometimes Karin would meet his glance, blush slightly and look away. He always scowled.
"So…" Yuzu spoke up, hoping to get a conversation going. Her eyes brightened while one finger twirled a strand of light brown hair around her slim fingertips. Karin looked up while Toushiro raised a slightly irritated brow. "How long do you plan on staying over Toushiro?"
Toushiro frowned even further, while he saw her lips curl up into a smirk. Man, I forgot how crazy this family is…"Only for tonight," he explained hastily, while his lips straightened in a professional, prim line. "After that I need to talk to Ichigo," glancing over at Karin and giving her a square glance.
Yuzu brought some vegetables and chewed on them for a little while, nodding her head in the slightest. "What's so important that you need to talk to Ichigo for?" she asked, worry reflecting in her eyes.
Toushiro scowled even further, his eyes darkening in the slightest. "I can't tell you, it's strictly confidential," he explained.
"Oh," Yuzu mouthed, still easily amused about how serious this guy was. "Anyway," she smiled, turning to look at her sister with more inflection in her high, feminine voice, "How long have you guys been dating?" she squealed.
Something immediately snapped in both Karin's and Toushiro's eyes, while a faint dust of pink settled on their cheeks. "We're not dating!" they both yelled in unison, glancing at each other than at Yuzu with anger apparent in their eyes.
Yuzu pouted adorably although her eyes twinkled mischievously. "But you guys work so well together," she argued with a faux sad glint in her eyes.
"This weirdly feels like déjà vu," Karin whispered to herself.
"Excuse me," Toushiro said politely, taking his empty dish and taking it to the sink with a disdainful look on his face. The two sisters watched as he took a deep sigh and walked up the stairs with the same scornful look on his face.
Yuzu looked over at her sister, looking through her fake smile. "Karin, go talk to him," she said with a soft smile.
"Why?' Karin grumped, stubbornness rolling off her like thick waves.
"Just go!" Yuzu squealed loudly.
"Fine!"
Yuzu giggled as she watched Karin storm up the stairs after Toushiro.
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"What is it Karin?" Toushiro asked, not even having to glance back while Karin joined him on the room of the Kurosaki residence. His teal eyes looked darker and more concentrated then before as he looked up at the deep sky littered with millions of golden stars. A side of his lips rose as he remembered nights like this over in Soul Society.
"What are you thinking about Toushiro?" Karin responded quietly, sitting a few mere inches from him while she brought her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs. A strong gust of wind appeared and blew her ebony hair back from her slightly tanned face. She leaned her head towards him, while curiosity glinted strongly in her eyes…just like when they were kids.
He glanced over at her from the corner of his long-lashed eyes, smirking a little, while loosening up a little inside. "I didn't realize how long it's been since I've been in the world of the living," he answered, looking away from her once again with a sad feeling echoing in his voice.
Karin just kept quiet, knowing in her heart that he had more to say than just that.
"What's your dream Karin?" he asked seriously, looking over at her with a softer expression than before.
Karin grinned and leaned back on the roof; the tiles digging into her back. Her head escaladed towards the stars while she let out a breathy sigh. "I want to be a soccer coach," she said. She glanced over at him, and found-with great relief- that his expression hadn't changed. Yet. "Because I love playing soccer, and working with kids…I think that's what I would love to do for the rest of my life. Even when I get real old." Her grin widened infectiously.
Toushiro looked away from her at her last comment. Even when I get real old…huh. He felt some odd feelings stirring within him as those words left her lips. Sure, he would age…but that would take forever. He already had knew that he had grown old in his heart, but not by looks. That comment made him almost feel…troubled.
It's almost like Peter Pan and Wendy…
A/N: I also wanted to thank the people for leaving me reviews. You guys are really sweet, and I can't help but to grin once I receive them. Although, please review and tell me what you think about this chapter. I admit that this chapter isn't the best, but it will get a lot better I promise you. But here are the thanks for the people who reviwed!:
byinj
OSR fanatic
Spaztastic32
pers3as
Yemi Hikari
blackangel150
Cittyno2
Bara-san
sayo-chan64
READ and REVIEW please! Thanks!