Hello and welcome back to a Rough Beginning! This is as you know chapter 16! I can't wait for you guys to read it! I promises if this chapter seems dry, more things will start to happen in future chapters. For now I am just building action.

Thanks to all the reviews, you guess help me a lot and support me to keep writing.

With that enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 6

Torshiro usually wakes up early naturally, but today he didn't. Karin was already dressed and wondering around the castle she was glad the she actually knew where she was going. Not seeing Torshiro up yet was unusual for her. She usually got to peek into his office when the servant brought him his tea, but today he wasn't getting tea and instead was suppose to be out checking all the supplies. Cracking open his door she could see he was still sleeping in bed. She didn't find it polite to walk into people's rooms, but she made a exception with this since he was technically her husband and in so his room was technically her room at least through marriage. Stepping into the room and slightly closing the door behind her she walked over to his bedside. Brushing his bangs that were hanging in his face away she called his name,

"Torshiro, it's time to get up we have to head out soon or we will be late," Karin called gentle to him. Torshiro stirred a bit before opening his teal eyes to look up at Karin. It startled him seeing her in his room that he slightly jumped.

"Karin what are you doing in here?" he asked

"Torshiro it's almost time to go, I was just waking you up, nothing more" she told him.

"What time is it?" he asked looking around. He could immediately tell the sun was up higher than usual when he wakes up.

"It's almost 7 and I figured you would like to leave between 7 and 8, so we don't reach the seriti palace to late" Karin said going over to the windows and opening the curtains. Torshiro watched her as she did so. The sun came streaming back on her into the room. The last women that had done that to Torshiro was his mother, before she had passed. A gentle smile formed on Torshiro's lips.

"You're right Karin, I'll get ready than we will be able to leave." Torshiro said before thinking. Karin started to head towards the door, but before she could leave Torshiro stopped her, "Hey Karin. Can you check the supplies, water, food, tent, medical supplies, blankets, horse food, the scroll that we made last night and if you can take some of the papers. Also can you put the scroll and an extra one in the carriage with us so I can check it as we go, with a quill and ink" Torshiro asked.

"Yeah of course Torshiro" Karin said with a smile before heading out of the room, shutting the door behind her. Karin went out to the carriage where the servants were waiting for Torshiro to check the supplies. They were surprised to see Karin come out. Matsumoto stood waiting she frowned when she saw Karin, she still hadn't gotten over what Karin had done to Torshiro. The other servants though had seen the progression of the two's relationship and accepted that they both got past it. Karin was handed the list and began reading everything off as she read the servants would pack it on. That way nothing was forgotten. Karin finished up the list and handed it back to the servants thanking them she headed inside to the library. She saw one scroll lying on the table and checked if it was the right one. Reading what she assumed Torshiro would right said something about trading supplies for knowledge. Karin then went and got a blank one with a quill and ink. Karin started to head back to the front door where the carriage was waiting to leave. As Karin was doing that Torshiro was dealing with Matsumoto.

"Torshiro what is Karin doing checking the stuff? You always do that, you don't even let me do that. I am still for finding a way out of this arranged marriage!" Matsumoto said.

"Matsumoto Karin and I have come to a understanding, and I woke up late so I asked KArin to help me, I don't want to divorce her Rangiku I think I am falling for her and nothing is going to change my mind. There is more to her than what you saw at the wedding. She was just scared." Torshiro said back.

"She's only here for the crown I went into her room at the wedding and she made it clear that she was Queen and I was just a servant" Matsumoto. Torshiro had about enough.

"Rangiku Matsumoto, that's enough! Karin is my wife, I will stand with her. Karin is different now, she was different at the wedding, but how she is right now. I believe this is the real her and I don't want to hear another thing about this." Torshiro said. It was quiet between the two before Karin came from behind the stairs with the supplies. Torshiro saw her and went to take them from her. Than headed to the carriage. Karin followed Torshiro closely until they got to Matsumoto. Karin stopped and looked at the older women.

"Matsumoto, I am sorry for what I had said at my wedding it was uncalled for" Karin said. Not waiting for a reply she hurried after Torshiro. Matsumoto stood their confused. Was she playing or was it the truth.

Torshiro put the scrolls and supplies in the carriage before stepping out to face towards the direction they would be traveling in. Karin was also standing right beside him.

"Looks clear" Karin said. Torshiro nodded.

"Let's hope it stays that way" he answered.

"Have hope and peace Torshiro it will" Karin said before turning to go to the carriage. Torshiro stood for a bit letting her words sink in before going to the carriage to help her. Torshiro put out a hand for Karin to help her up. She accepted the hand up and got in and Torshiro followed behind her. They both sat on the bench together facing forward. They had a small talk as the carriage started moving in the direction of the kingdom of seriti. They had to take small breaks out of the carriage to stretch and allow the horses and the rider to get breaks. They stopped by a small pond were Karin enjoyed the water very much. Torshiro watched her while he leaned against the carriage. The carriage drive tole Torshiro that he was ready to leave. Torshiro stood up straight.

"Karin it's time to go" he called to her. Karin stood up from the water's edge

"Okay" she said back walking back to where he was waiting. He helped her into the carriage than got in himself. "How close are we to the seriti?" Karin asked looking out the window as they moved.

"We should get there around 10:30 ish so we will have to spend the night than talk, I sent word that we were both coming, so they won't mistake who you are" Torshiro said. Karin nodded in understanding, "but that being said, please don't wonder off. Our marriage is still limited to higher class. If you could I would like if you could stay close to me, or in the palace somewhere. When I am done with the deal we can go around the kingdom. Okay?" Torshiro asked her.

"Okay Torshiro, but what type of place is the serit?" Karin asked.

"It's not like mine or your kingdom, it's a lot rougher, the king is old and has no children and will probably be going to his closest relatives sofon, or yarichii. Both of them are respectable and will respect the deal that we make today or tomorrow, but the kingdom knows that it's king is dying and is become more dangerous. That's why it's important for you to stay close even if we are in the palace. Stay close, they're expecting people to start trying to assassin the king." Torshiro explained. Karin nodded in understanding. They continued to talk a little bit more before Torshiro decided to look over the scroll as they were nearing their destination. Karin helped him mend the scroll. They finished it as they rolled into the kingdom.

"Karin sit up straight, make sure your head is out of the window" Torshiro said as he closed the curtains to the carriage. They moved through the kingdom carefully. They reached the palace and were let in. Pulling to the front doors of the palace they were greeted by the king Yamato himself. The carriage door was opened and torshiro stepped out with the scroll in his hand.

"King Yamato, it's nice to see you again" Torshiro said.

"King Hitsugaya, you as well how was the trip?" Yamato answered.

"It was a pleasant one, may I introduce my wife, Karin Hitsugaya," Torshiro said holding out his hand to help Karin out of the carriage.

" She's from Wolfden kingdom isn't she Isshin's daughter, what a pleasant surprise. I am sad I wasn't able to make it to the wedding, but as things are in my kingdom, it wasn't a safe one" Yamato said Karin stepped down fully onto the ground and stepped away so the carriage door could be closed and it could be unpacked.

"It is alright, I understand myself," Torshiro answered. Yamato lead them inside as the servants took their two bags inside to their room.

"It is getting late so we will talk about the matter tomorrow, my butler Chōjirō Sasakibe will show you to your room, enjoy your stay" Yamamoto said as he left. The butler took them to their room.

"This will be your room Mrs. and Mr. Hitsugaya have a pleasant rest." he said. He was to fast for Torshiro to stop him and ask for another room. Torshiro sighed seeing the door closed, before looking at Karin.

"I can sleep on the floor, Karin you can take the bed" Torshiro said rubbing his head. Karin walked up to him grabbing his hands.

"Torshiro, it's alright, we are both tired, it's a king size bed, I don't mind sharing as long as you don't do anything funny" Karin said.

"But.. are you sure?" Torshiro asked.

"Yeah, besides we are husband and wife, so nothing's wrong with it" Karin answered. Torshiro kissed Karins right hand before letting her go to change in the bathroom. They took turns changing in the bathroom. Karin was laying on the right side of the bed when Torshiro came out of the bathroom. Torshiro walked over to the left side of the bed and got in. They both turned to the middle of the bed.

"Night Torshiro," Karin said before shutting her eyes.

"Night Karin…." Torshiro said. He waited a while looking at Karins sleeping face. It had been already a hour since she had fallen asleep when Toshiro thought he was safe. "Love you Karin, I am glad I got the honor of marrying you" he said before closing his eyes.

"Love you to Torshiro" came a quiet reply that shocked him. At this time Karin turned over and had her back to him. Torshiro got slightly closer to Karin before wrapping a arm around her waist and bring her closer to him. So that her back was against his chest. Torshiro waited for Karin to pull away, but she didn't so he quietly went to sleep embracing his wife Karin Hitsugaya.

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Until Next Time!

~ FoxFlame864 ~