Chapter Six: Old Friends, New Feelings

Karin hadn't expected to see Toushiro again so soon, but she was indeed happy to see the white haired Shinigami again… very happy. Karin, you're staring, she reminded herself as she looked away from him for a minute only to stare at him again. Her lips curved into a genuine smile, ones that were only reserved for family and him.

"Karin, you're a," Toushiro stuttered and Karin gave a nervous giggle in response.

"A Shinigami?" She finished for him, "Very perceptive today aren't we?"

"How did you, I mean…" Toushiro was very confused at this point in time. This led to more giggling.

"Same as my brother," Karin answered the captain.

The first thought that went through Toushiro's mind was Ichigo's power to transfer into a Hollow of sorts. He had had trouble controlling the monster within him but had reported to have tamed the beast. He thought of the danger to Karin having Vizard like powers and not being in control of them.

Toushiro pondered for a moment. He new it was Urahara who gave Ichigo his powers back and putting two and two together he knew the answer to who was responsible in a matter of milliseconds.Damn Urahara, putting my Karin in danger… wait… my Karin? "When you say just like Ichigo… do you mean?" he asked leaving the question open hopping she would catch his drift.

Karin shook her head, "I was able to transform into a Shinigami without starting the Hollow Transformation, so I don't have that problem." She had only been informed of the dangers of semi transformation into a Hollow during the gaining of her Shinigami powers and after the fact at that. It bothered her somewhat.

The 10th Division Captain let out a long sigh but tried to hid as much of it as possible. He couldn't let Karin know he cared for her too much. It was sort of against the law to be close with a human. "You dumb girl," Toushiro said half yelling. Karin's face went from happy to blank. "Do you even know what kind of danger you put yourself in?" he continued and his last words were to himself mostly, "Impulsive Humans."

"What? Danger? Trouble? I'm the one who saved you're sorry ass ten minutes ago!." Karin retaliated.

"What ever." Toushiro replied calmly. Karin was fuming. He turned at the sound of footsteps and found Matsumoto running towards them along with Tatsuki, Ikkaku, and Yamichika.

"Captain!" The busty Lieutenant called.

"What?" he answered in a calm voice.

"We felt your Spiritual Pressure spike and thought you were in trouble. We were at the Urahara shop at the time," Matsumoto Informed.

Toushiro laughed, "For a lowly hollow?" He shook his head.

Karin sighed, "So he says…" Toushiro glared at her in response.

Matsumoto on the other hand forgot about the previous situation and looked to Karin and smiled widely, "Oh, Karin so good to see you again. You look soooo cute as a Shinigami." She started, but it wasn't over just yet. "and look at your hair… did you do that to impress the Captain?"

Every one sweat dropped at that comment except the one asking it and Karin. She was blushing instead and laughing nervously. She had only spoken to this woman once and knew she was a bit ditsy. "Thank you Rangiku but I didn't do it for the captain. When I turned into a Shinigami the longer hair came with the deal."

Matsumoto shrugged, "Well, I'm sure the Captain loves it anyway."

"Shut up, Matsumoto," ordered Toushiro as the temperature around them dropped, and indeed she did shut up. "We might as well head back to Urahara's, no sense in hanging around out here."

Karin decided to give her two cents worth. "But no one can see us…"

Toushiro paid no mind as he started walking. Truth is I want a word with Urahara without any interruptions.

Karin growled at the non-responsive Toushiro, "Wait up!" She yelled running after him, everyone else following.

The group had arrived shortly after they had left the spot where Toushiro and Karin had been reunited. She had possibly saved his life and he had yet to thank her. It went beyond just a simple thanks and Toushiro vowed to himself that he would find a way.

Karin and the others were sitting at the round table Urahara owned, getting caught up on things. Toushiro took this moment to literally grab Urahara and drag him into another room so he could verbally beat the bastard. He had shut the door in a civilized manor and started in a calm, cold, and husky voice, "What the hell Urahara? Explain your self…"

Urahara brought his fan to his face and smirked, "Explain what, Captain?"

Toushiro growled, "Oh really? Lets not play games, you know damned well what the fuck I'm talking about."

Urahara sighed and the fun was indeed over… well, not just yet, "Very well. Karin came to me about it and I was more than willing to help, and speaking of help we need all we can get. You should know that, Captain."

Toushiro had to agree with the end of that reply but his stubbornness was still there,"The fact is you put Karin in more danger than she knows…"

Urahara cut him off. "My, my, Captain. Getting all worked up over a human girl? One at least ten times younger than you? Why would you care so much about her especially a high ranking officer like yourself? Enlighten me."

Toushiro blinked. He took in the words with a fine tooth and comb but was still unable to respond. For some reason he was speechless. Urahara took his silence as a good opportunity to exit and headed for the door leacing Toushiro to stare at a wall.

Just before he slipped out the door the scientist spoke. "What I'm doing, Hitsugaya, is going to make things so much easier for you… lover boy."

That was the last straw. Toushiro had been called many things but he hated 'Lover boy' the most. So much in fact that it made his cold blood boil. He turned around to face Urahara but met a closed door instead. He was in what appeared to be the kitchen, alone. He didn't notice before because he was too focused on ripping out Urahara's throat.

The young captain let out a sigh and found a stool to sit down on, he was exhausted. It was true he didn't do much to exert himself physically today but his stress levels were high and that made him fatigued. What did Urahara mean by making it easier on me? He sighed. That man is always up to no good.

Karin was another story. She was a Shinigami now and he had to respect that. Turning into a Shinigami as a human is a deadly and dangerous process. Karin always seemed to impress him and it made sense that he admired her strength and willpower so much. She went through a soccer game with a screwed up knee after all.

Toushiro sighed and stood up, heading out to find a way up onto the roof. Time for some roof therapy.

Karin sat at the round table with everyone else as Matsumoto told one of her drunken tales. Karin tried hard to look like she was paying attention but her mind was on one thing… That stubborn white haired Shinigami.

The nerve of him. He had yelled at her for her choice in becoming a Shinigami. It's my choice and I don't regret it so there. She'll have to tell him that when she gets the chance.

She messaged her back and smiled at Matsumoto who had complimented on how pretty her Zanpakuto was. She was a weird one, Rangiku.

Toushiro hadn't changed much, but Karin sure had. Bastard didn't even notice my hair, even though I don't want it. She found out to her disappointment that once she merged back into her body her hair grew to the length of her soul's. She had sat frustrated in front of Yuzu's mirror for hours after trying to cut it only to have it instantly grow back.

Even though she was currently mad at the Shinigami Captain, she was happy he was back. He had stirred up odd feelings in her, some she was experiencing for the first time, but she knew what they were. She had been sure she was going to go insane without him during his absence. Damn you Toushiro, it just had to be you I fall in love with.

She drifted back to Matsumoto's story, not sure if it was a new one or not. She still found it hard to pay attention.

A/N: Well I don't have much to say… next chapter there's a lot more action so get ready. Thanks everyone for the reviews. Until next time R and R.