The continuation of Turning Back the Pendulum, this will add on to explanation as to why Karin and Toshiro have a wilted friendship...

Karin POV

I was standing along with my graduating med class. Looking out into the crowd I could see Ichigo and Rukia hold hands while smiling and waving at me, Byakuya smiling while holding up his digital camera, and my father making a complete fool of himself (as always) while filming out of a video camera that looked like it belonged in the prehistoric era. A couple of months had passed after my birthday, and nothing had changed other than forgiving Toshiro for being late.

"Now without further a due I would like to present our valedictorian, and youngest of the graduating class," the principal said while standing behind the podium and smiling at the audience, "Kurosaki Karin." He said as he turned to clap at me. I was so nervous I almost tripped, and fell on to the stage. But luckily it didn't happen. I walked towards the principle and bowed, and walked behind the podium to make my speech as is the school's tradition.

"Um…hi." I said as I laughed nervously. "I wasn't really expecting to get this award, but I guess that my grades thought differently." I said as the crowd laughed. "I would really like to thank my family, my mentor Byakuya, and my close friends who have inspired and pushed me through my studies. If it wasn't for them I surely wouldn't have made it this far. Thanks Karakura Med for helping me towards my goal, and thank you principal for supporting all of us students." I said as I clapped bowed once more in front of the principle, and stood up in order to receive my plaque. After I walked back to my position in the stands, on the stage, behind the principal, the graduation continued with more awards and diplomas.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a warm round of applause to our medical graduates." The principal said as he turned and clapped, and was joined by the standing ovation of parents and guests.

"No it's time to party!" The principal said as he was joined by me and others students in a cheer. I started to walk towards the hall where the graduation was being held, and decided to stop by the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror, and took off my graduate's cap and gown. Which revealed my shoulder length wavy hair, pink cocktail dress that emphasized all my curves, and had a ton of detail, and dusty pink heels. I was about to walk out until a stall opened to reveal a disheveled Toshiro, followed by the stall door slamming closed. Apparently he had just finished having sex.

"Hey," He said as soon as he noticed me and started walking towards me, "I like what you're wearing."

"Thanks," I said as I looked at him while he continued to walk towards me, "and I like that fact that you look like you've been in a tornado."

"You think you're funny don't cha?" He said as he stopped in front of me and leaned down in order to intimidate me.

"I think I'm very funny actually." I said as I smiled and raised myself up on my tiptoes fighting him back. "But I'd like to cut the jokes for now and go to the dance." I said as I turned around and started to walk out.

"Will you save a dance with me?" Toshiro asked.

"Yes." I said after I stopped and turned my head to the side to smile at him before I continued to walk to the ballroom. As I arrived I realized that it was packed! I mean there wasn't even room to stand.

"Karin! Over here!" Alex said from a table in the right side of the ballroom. I walked towards the friend I had met through school, noticing many stares I was getting.

"Karin." She said as she hugged me. "I love what you're wearing!" She said after we pulled out of our hug.

"Thanks, as do I." I said as I smiled and looked at her. She was wearing a long emerald green gown, with a black lace belt at the waist and a bun type up-do, with only a couple of her black curls purposely out of place.

"Oh stop it." She said as she fanned her hand at me. "Karin, I'd like you to meet my friends Shuuhei, and Tosen." She said as she pointed at the two gentlemen sitting in her table.

"Hi." I said as I extended my hand towards Shuuhei, whom was wearing a black suit, a white button down shirt, and a long black silk tie, his hair was spiked up in a style similar to my brother's the only difference being that Shuuhei's hair was black meanwhile Ichigo's was orange. What was most interesting about him though, was the fact that he had a tattoo on his face along with a scar. Hmm…69? I wonder what that stood for…

"Hello." He said as he shook mine.

"Hello." Tosen said as he stood up and extended his right arm to me.

"Hi." I said once I let go of Shuuhei's hand and extended my arm towards Tosen, whom was wearing a white suit, with a black button down shirt, a white silk tie, and sunglasses. Not to mention his black hair was dreaded, and loose, cascading all the way to his chest. "I like the sunglasses." I said as I let go of his hand.

"Thanks," He said before he sat down again, "the probing lights bother my retinas."

"Oh." I said as I noticed the flashing neon lights.

"Why don't you sit at our table?" Alex asked as she pulled my left wrist and pushed my body into a chair not giving me a chance to answer. "Stay here guys while I get you guys something to drink."

"She didn't even give you a chance to answer huh?" A voice asked me and when I turned my head I realized it was Shuuhei's.

"How did you think we ended up here?" Tosen asked as he removed his sunglasses, revealing hazel eyes, and began to clean them with the table cloth.

"I thought it was your choice."

"Our choice my ass." Shuuhei said before looking at Tosen who rolled his eyes at their luck.

"Oh." I said before I began to laugh. "Well you guys apparently aren't the only one's." I said as I pointed at myself earning a nod from both of them.

"Hey what do you say we ditch this table before she comes back?" Shuuhei asked both of us while smirking.

"I don't think we should. She might track us down." Tosen said as he put his sunglasses back on and looked at Shuuhei.

"Damn you're right." Shuuhei said as he sighed and leaned back on his chair.

"What if we just dance?" I asked out of the blue, grabbing both of their attentions. "It would be easier if, when she came back, we decided to dance and hauled ass into the dance floor. It's so full; I doubt she'll find us." I said as I looked over at the dance floor.

"I like the idea." Tosen said making me turn my head back to the two men.

"I agree." Shuuhei said as he smiled. "I like the way you think Karin."

Toshiro POV

I had just finished fixing my tie when I started to walk towards the ball room. I opened the door and the place was packed. I tried to find sign of Karin but couldn't as I walked to the tables where food was being served and noticed Alex sitting alone in her table with a long face. Bingo! I walked towards Alex with an extra cup of punch in my hands.

"Hey Alex, what's up?" I asked startling her from her gaze.

"Oh hey Toshiro, I'm good. You?" She asked with a smile.

"You don't look good, I'm fine thank you. If it cheers you up I brought you some punch." I said as I gave her the punch that was in my right hand, and began to drink from the one in my left.

"Thanks, that's very nice of you." She said as she grabbed the cup and took a sip of out of it. "Well I was just ditched for the dance floor."

"By who?" I asked curiously knowing the answer to my question perfectly.

"Karin, Shuuhei, and Tosen." She said as she took another sip.

"Where did they go?" I asked, getting a point from Alex in return. I followed her finger and found her dancing with two guys and one of them, the one with the tattoo, was staring at her as if she were a piece of meat.

"Well I guess I should go and join them." I said enthusiastically as I began to walk, but was stopped by Alex's hand on my shirt.

"You too?" She asked with her eyed pleading. Shit…

"Hold on." I said as I turned to walk towards the table and saw a very nervous and shy blonde that was in my Anatomy class. What was his name again?...Kuba?...Karu?....Kirk?...K-K?...As I neared the table one of his friends neared the table.

"What's up Kira?"

KIRA!!

"Hey Kira." I said as I approached him.

"T-T-Toshiro, how are you?" He asked nervously.

"I'm fine, but I need you to do me a favor if you don't mind." I said as I grabbed him in a side hug and began to walk him towards Alex's table.

"I want you to keep this fine lady company." I said as I neared the table.

"Hey Alex, I brought you some company," I said as I stood in front of her, making her turn her head towards me and the man underneath my left arm, "his name is Kira, Kira this is Alex." I said while introducing both of them, earning silent nods and smiles. "Alright now that everyone's acquainted I've got to go." I said as I made my way towards the DJ to make a special request for my entrance.

Karin POV

I was dancing with Shuuhei and Tosen when all of a sudden the music stopped and everyone started getting into a circle, but when I attempted to get into one, the circle opened towards where I was standing. In the middle I could see Toshiro smiling as he loosened his tie, and pointed at me. I felt a blush come to my cheeks, due to the fact that he just stood there with no music pointing at me while the whole graduated student body stared.

"YOU KNOCK ME OFF OF MY FEET AW BABY! HOOO!" Toshiro screamed as "The Way You Make Me Feel" began to play and he started to dance towards me.

"What are you doing?!" I said in a hushed tone as he began to dance like MJ around me.

"I'm dancing…" He said as he mouthed out 'the way you make me feel, you really turn me on'.

"No shit Sherlock. I mean why are you doing this?" I asked as I stopped him and pulled him close to me, making the whole crowd 'whooo!' and whistle.

"Hey I was just expecting a smile, not this." He said as he smiled at me and our close proximity. "Ouch!" He said as he bowed holding onto his gut which I happened to punch, as I walked away. The music continued and he quickly stood up and continued to follow me while dancing.

"Stop it, you're embarrassing me!" I yelled in order for him to hear me, but that only made him smile and continue his game.

"Only if you dance with me." He said as he spun around and stopped in front of me with our chest's almost touching.

"Alright…" I said as I rolled my eyes and began to dance with him, but decided to make it fun. "Only if you can keep up…" I said before the song ended, and as if the speakers heard me the next song that played was "Catch My Breath". I began to mouth out the words 'Oooh, I'm starting to believe that I'm way too much for you.' as I began to pop and lock earning a competitive smirk from his face. It was like this the whole night until a slow song came on. Just my luck it had to be "Hero". I was about to turn around and walk off the dance floor until Toshiro grabbed my left wrist and spun me around landing on his chest.

"Would you dance, if I asked you to dance?" He said as he sang along with the song, but I knew that he was really asking the question.

"Yes." I said as I looked up at him and grabbed his left shoulder with my right hand, and his right hand with my left, and he put his left hand on my waist. But instead of letting it rest there, he wrapped it around my waist and pulled me closer to him so that it would be like a hug.

"I just want to hold you, Am I in too deep? Have I lost my mind? I don't care you're here tonight…" He said as he leaned into my ear at the same time the song said it.

"You're so cheesy." I said as laughed, closed my eyes, and rested my head on his chest. At least I can have my old Toshiro back for a little while…right? I spoke too soon, because the song ended and was followed by "Bad". Toshiro started to push my away, and I complied completely getting out of his arms.

"I have something I have to tell you." He said still standing close to me.

"What?" I said as I began to crossed my arms across my chest, knowing the reason why he made a spectacle.

"I'm going to make a business venture, and was thinking that a partnership with you would be great. I mean both of us would make a ton of money, and successful." He said as he grabbed me by my waist and began to walk me to towards the entrance of the ball room in order to talk.

"What is this business venture exactly?" I asked looked at him suspiciously.

"It's our own practice as plastic surgeons, but not here."

"Then where?"

"In Miami." He said as he smiled at me stopped when both of reached the door frame of the ball room.

"Miami? That's a bit far don't ya think?" I asked thinking about the possibilities of success.

"It is, and the competition is tough, but once you've made it there you've made it everywhere literally." He said as he smiled convincingly. "So what do you think?" He asked me.

"I don't know…" I said as I looked to the side.

"Aww come on Karin-chan, it won't be fun without you." He said as he used the childhood nickname he used to address me as and pouted.

"Alright fine…" I said as I sighed in defeat, earning a tremendous smile from Toshiro, as he jumped up once and hugged me.

"Thanks, I knew I could count on you…" He said as he whispered in my ear, and soon released me. "Hey, why aren't you wearing my necklace?" He asked looking at me curiously, while folding his arms across his chest.

"It's because it didn't match with the outfit." I lied, the true reason was because I now treasured it as one of the last shreds of my Toshiro…old Toshiro, and didn't want to lose it or damage it.

"Well, alright. But I want to see you wear it tomorrow." I said as he unfolded his arms and scratched the back of his head. "So-"

"You asked me to dance because you were jealous weren't ya?" I asked as I looked at him straight in the eye.

"What makes you think that?" He asked as he looked away from my gaze.

"Because that would be the only reason why you would embarrass me in public like that." I said as I began to walk away from him.

"Hey Karin, wait I-"

"Whatever Toshiro…just be happy I agreed to the partnership." I said as I walked back into the ball room, as began to cry. He always wanted to be close to me and yet he was always with someone else…what was the use in trying to be nice to him all the time if he was going to end up breaking my heart over and over again…what was the use in crying about him? I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes and took a personal vow to never cry for him…

This is the end of Turning Back the Pendulum.

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