xx.
In retrospect, looming over the sleeping mouse—the sleeping Hanatarou—was a mistake. Just because Kiyone had done it, it doesn't mean that Karin should.
Maybe the startled scream of surprise is the appropriate response, but it still feels a little uncalled for. She hadn't been that bad, as far as Karin was aware. She'd never sought to intentionally intimidate him.
"Karin! Um, your—your grace!" Hanatarou stutters, after the distance between them widens, and they are both out of each other's reach.
"Karin is fine," Karin says, curtly. She tries to recall any instances when he addressed her, and her mind forms blanks. Frowning, Karin is only able to remember instances of her being dismissive of him.
"I… didn't expect you here," He looks around, double checking the stables, the hay that surrounds them, the horses nearby.
Clearly.
"What are you… can I help?" Hanatarou says, stumbling over his words, avoiding her gaze as long as the flush on his face remains. Evidently, he'd expected Kiyone to wake him up, least of all someone like her. Karin can't help but pity him as he flusters and panics around her. "Is there anything…"
"It has come to my attention," Karin begins, then stops.
That sounds like something that Hitsugaya would say, she thinks, annoyed. She tries a different approach, much less practised, more uncertain.
"Um. You don't… I mean, I don't mean to come across so…" Cold? Intimidating? Haughty? "Frightening." Karin decides, settling on that word, then winces internally.
Maybe she does a little, she admits to herself on reflection, if only to be left alone. But that never seemed to stop Kiyone or Hitsugaya. Someone quieter on the other hand… "I didn't realize I came across so… like something, I don't know, to run from."
"Oh."
Her face reddens. "I know I can be… standoffish, but I didn't realize—not to that extent—" Karin's no better than Hanatarou is at talking at the moment. She breaks off, takes a breath, and starts again. She's beginning to understand why staring at the wooden stalls is infinitely more preferable than waiting for a response. "I'm used to people being direct and telling me what they think. I know I'm not the… friendliest of people but," Karin mumbles, voice low, "I didn't mean to frighten you just now either."
"Um."
"So, I'm. I'm sorry about that." Karin says, stopping awkwardly, uncertain to whether she should face him.
He blinks, stunned.
"Okay," Hanatarou says, awkwardly, and there's hay in his hair that Karin wants to pick out. She knows he's just been sleeping, and she didn't give him any time to make himself presentable, but. It's an instinct she quells. "That's good to know."
Hanatarou still looks shocked, like he can't believe what he just heard.
"Is it pleasant sleeping here?" Karin asks, bluntly, unable to stop herself, shoulders tensing as she watches him flinch. "That wasn't…" She sighs, and softens the sound of her voice. "I just meant that it doesn't look comfortable."
He shrugs, meek and mousey again. "I got used to it. Besides, I have Ganjuu here to protect me." Looking to the nearest horse, there's something about Hanatarou's expression that glows. "He's not so bad."
Maybe it's a coincidence, Karin mulls to herself, commenting instead, "You like horses, then?"
"Yes!" Hanatarou beams, and that takes her by surprise, the strength in his confirmation. "I think they're amazing. Really amazing."
"Looks like you take good care of them," Karin says, standing up, and brushing the hay off her dress. She'll inspect herself later, in case there are any stray strands she missed. "I'm going to go now. Again, I didn't mean to scare you."
"Are you," Hanatarou calls, and Karin turns back to face him, "are you sure there's nothing else I can do for you?"
There might be one thing, she thinks, looking at the horse named Ganjuu, considering. She toys with the idea, and then shakes her head slightly. Another time, perhaps.
"No. I just wanted to talk."
She can't be completely certain, but it seems like Kiyone smiles at her encouragingly that night, to Hitsugaya's obliviousness.
"So, my sister tells me you punched a tree?"
Karin is stunned that the doctor who has come to look at her injured hand is in fact the one related to Kiyone. The following afternoon, when the sisters are together, Karin can hardly see the resemblance. Even the way the question is phrased is milder, uncertain and gentle, unlike how Kiyone would have punctuated each syllable with emphasis.
Isane seems to be everything Kiyone is not; tall and willowy and graceful, methodical if quiet, a stark contrast to the rambunctious nature of Kiyone.
It also is evident that Isane has no idea who Karin is.
"I was angry," Karin mumbles, lamely.
"I see," Isane says, brows creased in thought, scrutinizing her. Karin holds her gaze, watching her for anything that might make her suspicious. Then Isane outstretches her hand, palm upturned, and Karin blinks. "May I?"
Nodding, Karin moves her bandaged hand to her.
Isane smiles reflexively, to herself than directed at Karin. "Kiyone's handiwork, I see." It's a note of approval, and in the corner of her eye, Karin can see Kiyone high five Sentarou. After she undoes the bandages, Isane examines the damaged hand.
She can't help but feel embarrassed as she gazes her pinkened knuckles, raw and exposed to everyone in the room. The ache has lessened, but still serves as a reminder for her foolish actions.
After a while, Isane then starts to apply new bandages, satisfied with her examination. "The good news is that it seems to be healing nicely. If you continue to take it easy, you'll be fine in a few days. Please don't go punching trees."
"I won't," Karin mutters, feeling self-conscious.
"Good. And since you've got my sister here to take care of you, you have nothing to worry about," Isane smiles softly, glancing warmly at her sister.
"I take care of everyone here," Kiyone grins, openly pleased at her sister's praise.
"Really," Hitsugaya murmurs, a low voice in the background, and Kiyone doesn't flinch at all. Instead, she laughs impishly, her hand curled around the back of her neck.
When he speaks again, his voice takes a different tone, disregarding gruff sarcasm into something more sincere. He even smiles at Isane, to Karin's amazement, a sight that is impossible to look away from. Afterwards, Kiyone's enthusiasm bounces off the walls. "This place wouldn't be the same without her."
Time runs out, sooner or later. Three more days pass, in their quiet and meandering ways, and then—
"So you're leaving, after all," Karin states, standing on the stone steps, arms folded over her chest.
Hitsugaya turns to look at her, teal eyes bright. There's a smirk pulling at his lips, some remark he dares not voice. Karin is annoyed at him, regardless.
"As I said, there is a ball that I have to attend," Hitsugaya says, and something about how that sentence is phrased irritates her, though she is careful to not let her disdain show. He notices regardless, because Karin hasn't seen his expression turn serious like that in a long time. He only makes that face if he considers it to be the utmost importance. "I'd promised to be there."
"Are you coming back?" Karin asks, wondering if this is how it going to be from now on. He will be free to travel as he pleases, and what of her? What of the debt she owes him?
"Yes, Karin, I'm coming back." Hitsugaya says, droll, and the seriousness on his face changes to wry amusement. "Last chance. Are you sure you don't wish to accompany me?"
She hides her bandaged hand in the folds of her black dress, and curtly tells him that she does not.
"I'll save a dance for you anyway." He says, shrugging as if it is no great matter, and the heat that floods Karin's cheeks must be something akin to anger.
"Don't be ridiculous," Karin frowns at him. She thinks about what Kiyone said, about he could almost be charming, and in this moment decides for certain that she will never believe it. It is much too irritating and strange. "That doesn't even make sense. We'll be in two different places."
"You forget that we could always dance when I've returned, and your hand has healed," Hitsugaya says, smiling, and it only serves to incense her further. "I'll tell you all the sordid details."
"Goodbye," Karin mutters, rolling her eyes. Enough.
"Safe travels," Kiyone says, and he nods at both of them, biding them farewell, before he enters his carriage.
"Is it always like this?" Karin asks Kiyone later that evening.
"For most part, yes. He comes and goes whenever he pleases," Kiyone answers, simply. "Sometimes he stays for weeks, sometimes just a few days. I think Hitsugaya doesn't like to stay in one place too long. Or maybe…" She pauses, and then shakes her head. "No, never mind."
"So what now?" Karin asks, scrunching up her face.
"Depends. I have to make sure that the manor remains in order. Anything else is fine by him. You on the other hand, can do whatever you like. You're his guest, after all," Kiyone smiles, and it's a little bit mischievous. "So what do you want to do?"