Author's Note:
Hi, everyone! I hope you're ready for chapter 3! In this chapter, we finally get to learn more about Toshiro's past, and he and Karin get some bonding time ;-) Also, a new friend makes his appearance! This chapter's pretty long, so I hope you've got plenty of time, lol.
Let me know what you think by dropping a review! I know it sounds super cliché, but it's true when writers say that they really enjoy reading the reviews, and that it motivates them to keep writing. I know I love hearing from you all, so don't be afraid to share your thoughts! :-)
Anyway, on with the show! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. All credit goes to Tite Kubo.
Two months later…
The next two months flew by for Karin. She travelled to Saikyo's, Kiryu's, and Kenka's borders almost every day to check on her men, and review reports from the other western kingdoms and her brother with Nanao and Genshiro. They had started launching attacks on some of Aizen's strategic bases closer to their borders, and were working on plans to advance further into Hueco Mundo territory now.
She had taken her team of archers, and ambushed a few enemy supplies carriers in the last several weeks, as well; which had given some much-needed weapons and food to Kenka; one of the western kingdoms most heavily attacked by Aizen's army. It amazed Karin how quickly the soldiers of Kenka went through weapons; though, she had heard of their very aggressive and blood-thirsty nature many times from her brother. While she'd only briefly met king Kenpachi on her way to Orora, Ichigo personally knew him quite well, and had actually made her promise one time that if she ever met the ruler herself, she would not agree to his request for a fight.
She never did understand why her brother was so insistent on her promising him that, and he refused to explain why when she asked him. She figured he'd probably had an unpleasant experience with the older man, himself; so, she didn't press further on the subject.
She had settled into the castle nicely, and greatly enjoyed exploring all of the areas it had to offer. She had found the giant indoor garden that grew the castle's fruits, vegetables, and herbs; the training room, library; stable block, indoor riding area; archery range, medical wing; and, to her immense surprise, blacksmith forge; along with various other rooms like the kitchen, and servant's hall.
She'd asked Rangiku about the forge, and the beautiful general had told her that Toshiro was the best blacksmith in the kingdom; having made the gate at the border wall, as well as all of the metalwork adorning the various items and objects in the castle; like the silver filigree on his bedroom doors.
Karin had been flippant when she'd found out about that particular piece of information, and cursed the young ruler out for soaking up her praise of his skills without ever mentioning he was the craftsman. Rangiku had burst out laughing upon hearing about the conversation, and Karin had made sure to give the white-haired man a piece of her mind as soon as she saw him; much to the amusement of his elder sister, who was present when she finally found him, and laid into him.
Overall, though, she had greatly enjoyed her time in the royal household; outside of small incidents, like the forge scenario. She and Momo had grown very close already, and Ryu seemed to idolize her…though, not as much as he idolized his uncle.
She enjoyed seeing the softer side of Toshiro make an appearance whenever he was with either his nephew, or his people; but, for the most part, he remained the stoic, withdrawn person she remembered from her childhood.
Despite that, though, she found herself strangely drawn to him; almost as if they were kindred spirits of some kind, and she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their relationship than she even knew. He'd started to loosen up around her after the first month of her being there, and she was catching glimpses of the man who really resided behind the icy mask. She could tell she still had a long way to go before she earned his trust; but, if she was honest with herself, she was actually fine with that. She could tell there was more to him than she gave him credit for in the beginning, and she was looking forward to seeing if she could crack open his protective shell. Frankly, she rather liked him, in a 'he's annoying, but fun to be around' kind of way. She figured she still had a lot of work to do before he opened up to her, but she was willing to go the extra mile that gaining his trust would require. 'After all, nothing good comes to you unless you work for it' she thought, with a smile on her face, as she strolled along the top of the castle; looking out over the icy tundra she'd grown rather fond of. The wind was frigid, but the sky was completely clear; revealing millions of stars shining like the kingdom's diamonds in the inky black canvas of the night sky. 'This place really is beautiful' she thought, as she walked from one side of the castle to the other; running her gloved fingers over the smooth white granite, and admiring its combination of elegance, and strength.
While the climate had taken her a while to get used to, Karin had found herself strangely attracted to the polar landscape. It was so much different than anything she'd seen, or experienced, in the south; and it had found a place of refuge in her heart…but, it wasn't just the climate that drew her to this place; it was the people, too. The Ororans were very friendly, and welcoming; and she enjoyed spending time with them when she could. They seemed to like her, and went out of their way to make her feel at home; something she very much appreciated.
She'd also developed a working friendship with most of Toshiro's soldiers; occasionally going out to taverns with them, and enjoying a drink or two, while Rangiku got plastered at the bar. They'd even asked her to spar with them one time, and a daily training regimen had developed from that, alongside the one Toshiro already required of them. Overall, they were great fun, and they helped her learn her way around the kingdom, as well.
'Who would have thought I'd have this much fun helping with a war' she thought amusedly, as the heels of her boots clicked on the stone. She made it all the way to the very back of the large building, climbed down the access stairs, and walked over to the barracks. It was late, but she didn't feel like retiring just yet; so, she decided to see if Rangiku was awake. Knowing the busty blonde the way she now did, she figured the older woman was probably passed out at a tavern somewhere with her suiter, Shuhei Hisagi. A smirk made its way onto her face at the thought, as she approached the outdoor training area adjacent to Rangiku's quarters.
As she approached, she heard the sound of clashing swords, and quickly stopped in her tracks; hiding behind the building, and peering out from around the corner, while being careful not to be seen. Outside, in the cleared-out sparring arena, were Toshiro and Rangiku; swords drawn, and meeting each other blow for blow. Karin was impressed with the level of swordsmanship that she saw from the two; not used to seeing anyone other than herself, her brother, and her father display such mastery of the art. Every attack Rangiku launched was either blocked, parried, or used against her with precision and skill; and Karin found herself mesmerized by every move the young king made. She watched his technique closely, and committed it to memory; seeing him use his blade in unorthodox ways that were simply brilliant for counter-attacks, and setting himself up for a clear opening to strike.
What took her most by surprise, however, was the passion and ferocity she saw in his eyes. It was clear that he loved the fight, and the challenge of battle; something she resonated with. There was a small smile on his face as he disarmed his general, and deftly slid his blade next to her jugular vein; holding her there for a moment, before withdrawing the weapon, and sheathing it in the scabbard tied to his waist.
Rangiku sighed, and picked up her fallen blade; sheathing it as well. "Awwww, that's not fair! When am I going to be able to finally beat you, sir? You've been better than me with a sword since you were eleven years old." she asked; clearly deflated.
Toshiro smirked at her as he unsheathed his blade again, and wiped it down with a cloth; inspecting it closely. "When you actually put in the same amount of time practicing as I do." he replied; rotating the blade from one side to the other, and checking for knicks and scratches.
"But that's never going to happen! You practice for hours every day! It's because of the amount of time you spend training, and working, that you have no social life, you know." she said; a sarcastic smirk making its way onto her face, as she brought her hands to her hips.
Toshiro just rolled his eyes, and re-sheathed his sword; throwing the towel over his shoulder. "And that's why you'll never be as good as me in swordsmanship. You need to put in the work, Matsumoto. And to address your other comment, I'm a king; kings don't have social lives. We have too much to do."
Rangiku shook her head, and walked over to him. "You could if you wanted to, but you choose to work your life away. Sir, you're still a young man with many years ahead of you. Why not try to make some friends, and have some fun…maybe even find a woman you can marry, and start a family with, one day? You are of age." she said; a gentle smile making its way onto her face as she stopped in front of him.
Toshiro frowned back at her; his face closing off his emotions. "I don't get close to people, Matsumoto; you know that. It's not who I am." he replied, as he turned, and started walking back to the castle.
"What you really mean is that you're afraid to."
He stopped in his tracks, and they both stood there in silence for a moment; only the sound of the wind whipping outside making any noise. A beat passed, then two, before he sighed, and glanced over his shoulder at her. "I've lost, and seen injured, too many people close to me already. It's not that I'm afraid to, it's that I refuse to keep putting myself, and others, through it." he said; his face stony.
Despite his hard exterior, Rangiku could see the sorrow and pain from years past reflected in his eyes, even if it was buried deep, and it grieved her. Giving him a sympathetic look, she walked back over to him; her eyes soft, and her smile radiating motherly love and concern. "Sir, that's basically the same thing. I promised your parents, and uncle, that I would take care of you; so, I can't just stand by, and watch, as you close yourself off from the rest of the world. They didn't die so that you could isolate yourself; they would want you to live the life that's in you. You're a kind, and caring, man; but almost no one knows that outside of your people, soldiers, and family. It just seems a shame to watch you work your life away, and not take any time to enjoy the fun and adventures that life has to offer. I want you to be happy…and so would they." she finished; ruffling his disheveled hair affectionately.
Toshiro gave her a small, grateful smile in return, before looking over to the mountain range in the distance that loomed over the castle; his eyes thoughtful. "Thank you for your words, Rangiku; I'll keep them in mind." he replied, as he put his long fur-lined brown coat back on, and started walking towards the mountain range.
Once he was out of earshot, Rangiku looked towards the barracks, and smiled softly. "I know you're back there, Karin." she said; watching as the young Kurosaki begrudgingly revealed herself.
Karin gave the older woman an apologetic look, as she made her way over towards the general. "I'm sorry, Rangiku; I didn't mean to intrude. I saw you two sparring, and wanted to watch; I had no intention of eavesdropping, I swear."
Rangiku gave her a warm smile in response, and shook her head. "No, it's okay. You were bound to hear a conversation like that sooner or later." she said; an understanding look on her face.
"It happens a lot?" the young princess asked; confused, and curious, as she crossed her arms over her chest, and raised a questioning eyebrow.
Rangiku nodded her head. "I speak with him every few months, or when I feel like he needs a good dose of reality. He doesn't like facing facts when it comes to matters regarding himself." she replied; a smirk making its way onto her face.
Karin smirked back, and looked out in the direction the white-haired king had disappeared. "Well, I can't fault him for that; I'm the same way sometimes. My twin sister Yuzu keeps me in check." she said; falling silent for a moment, before looking back to the blonde beauty with a questioning gaze. "Rangiku, what happened to him? Why is he the way that he is?" she asked; watching the busty blonde intently.
The general stayed silent for a moment; her smirk falling into a contemplative frown, before looking over at the dark-haired woman. "It's not my place to tell you, Karin; you should ask him."
The raven-haired beauty gave the older woman a skeptical look; raising an eyebrow in question. "You really think he'll tell me? Because I doubt it." she said; a disbelieving frown on her face.
Rangiku chuckled, and smiled back at her. "It may surprise you to hear this, but I think he might. I've noticed that he's…different with you, Karin. You may not see it, but he is. He's been kinder to you than most other people who are new to his life. Just try; go after him, and find out. Who knows, you may be the one who manages to break down those icy walls of his." she replied; a knowing smirk on her face that Karin found slightly unsettling.
Despite her skepticism, the princess nodded, and headed off in the same direction Toshiro had just gone; while Rangiku boasted a sly smile on her face. 'You'll thank me later, sir' she thought, as she watched the raven-haired woman disappear into the distance.
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Karin tracked Toshiro's footprints all the way to the base of the mountain range; following them to a cave-like entrance. Finding several torches on the side of the wall, she lit one using some flint rocks nearby, and walked through the tunnel for a little-ways, until she came to a fork. Looking at the ground, and seeing the more well-worn path, she took a left; walking for what she estimated to be another ten minutes, or so, before she came to an opening. She put out the torch, and entered into what looked like a massive, hollowed-out area of the interior of the mountain.
There was no roof, and the same inky-black sky was above her; but it wasn't the grandeur of the hidden place that had her frozen in her tracks. There, in the center of the area, stood Toshiro patting a creature that she'd thought belonged to myths and legends: a huge, whitish-blue dragon with piercing red eyes; exactly like the dragon head in the center of the Hitsugaya family crest.
The beast was easily over 100' long, and she watched with a strange mixture of fear and wonder as it suddenly raised its head, looked straight at her, and roared. Immediately, Toshiro looked in her direction as well; his eyes widening with shock. She could see the panic in them as well, so she gave him a disarming smile; watching with awe-struck wonder as he calmed the beast down, and made his way over to her. His face was hard, and unreadable, but Karin could see the mixture of suppressed fear, anger, and confusion in his turquoise eyes. "How the hell did you find this place, and what are you doing here?" he asked; a hard edge to his voice.
Surprised by his tone, Karin's face adopted an angry and defensive look as she gave him a glare that would have caused lesser men to flinch; putting her hands on her hips, and meeting his gaze. "First of all, you have no right to speak to me like that; and second, not that it's any of your damn business, your highness, but I was out walking when I saw you headed in this direction. I got curious, so I followed your footprints; it really wasn't that difficult. You can calm down, though; I won't tell anyone about…that." she said; pointing to the creature waiting patiently for its master.
Toshiro held her gaze for a moment, before looking back towards his dragon; sighing, and returning his attention to her. "I have your word that you'll keep this to yourself?" he asked; his intense gaze locked with hers.
Karin nodded in confirmation, and Toshiro's face softened slightly in relief. Turning back towards his dragon, he motioned for her to follow him.
Karin hesitated for a moment, before walking behind him, and making her way up to the enormous creature. The dragon lowered its head, and stared at her with its ruby-red eyes as she watched it; the awe-struck wonder back on her face.
Beside her, Toshiro watched her reaction to the dragon; a small smile gracing his face. "Remember when you asked me if I had a pet?" he asked; a new softness to his voice.
Looking towards him, Karin nodded her head, before returning her gaze to the beast; Toshiro walking up to the dragon's head, and rubbing its nose as it closed its eyes. "Well, here he is. Karin, this is Hyorinmaru. He's not just my pet, though; he's my partner." he said, as he scratched the dragon behind its ears; with Hyorinmaru letting out a contented rumbling sound.
Karin couldn't believe what she was seeing, and she remained silent for a moment while she processed the information. After several seconds in silence, however, she finally found her voice. "This is incredible…I thought dragons were just a myth." she said in a still-slightly disbelieving voice.
Toshiro looked from his pet, to her, and shook his head. "No, they've lived in this region for centuries; that's where our royal family crest came from. The dragons have been partners to the royal family for as long as the kingdom has been in existence. Over two hundred years ago, they were heavily hunted as prizes by people from neighboring kingdoms. It got to the point where they were close to extinction; so, to save them, my ancestors spread the lie that the last dragon had been killed. No one outside of Orora knows of their existence now, and there are only about a dozen of them left, but they do exist. Hyorinmaru was born the same day I was; we're both twenty-one years old. My father introduced me to him when I was five, and we've been together ever since." he said, as his face softened with affection for the animal.
Karin looked back at her white-haired companion, and smiled. "That was good thinking on your ancestors' part. He's beautiful, but I don't see any others around. Is he antisocial, like you?" she asked; her smile morphing into a smirk.
To her surprise, Toshiro smirked back; instead of glaring at her, like he usually did when she teased him. "He's not a social creature, no; but he does have a mate. They have two young ones, and she's with them."
Nodding, Karin looked back at the dragon. "How old is she? Are they the same age?" she asked; her curiosity now peaked.
Toshiro shook his head in reply. "No, she's just over two years younger than he is; she was born on May 6th." he replied, and Karin's head whipped back to him; her surprised look taking him off-guard. "She's the same age as I am! We even have the same birthday!" she said; a wide smile on her face.
Now it was Toshiro's turn to look surprised; as he stared back at her with a curious expression, before it morphed into a soft smile. "That's interesting. I'll have to introduce you to her sometime, then."
Nodding her head excitedly, Karin glanced at Hyorinmaru once more, before returning her gaze to the young king's; a slightly nervous look on her face. "Would…would he let me pet him?" she asked; chewing her bottom lip nervously. She was hoping she wasn't asking too much of both master and pet, as she could see just how much Hyorinmaru meant to Toshiro. She didn't want to cross any lines with either of them.
The young king felt his smile widen slightly, as he nodded his head; extending his hand out for her to take. Karin looked questioningly at him, before putting her hand in his, and letting him pull her closer to the creature. Gently, he rested her hand on the dragon's nose, and covered it with his own; scratching under Hyorinmaru's chin to wake him up.
The dragon opened his eyes, and looked at the pair; feeling two hands on his face now, instead of one. He flared his nostrils, and smelled his master's scent, along with Karin's, before making a light grumbling noise, and closing his eyes once more.
Karin watched as Toshiro nodded to the creature, and retracted his hand from hers. Immediately, she missed its warmth more than she knew she should.
As she looked back at him, he gave her a small smile. "You can pet him now." he said, as he watched her nod, and gently run her fingers along his dragon's nose, and forehead. Hyorinmaru made a noise that almost sounded like Todoroku Kaze's purring, and Karin's soft smile grew.
The scales of the dragon were smooth, and cold; but they shimmered and sparkled in the same way that fresh snow would under a morning sunrise. Copying what she'd seen Toshiro do earlier, Karin scratched behind the dragon's ears, and giggled when it pushed its head further into her hands. Only a few moments later, it brought its head up to her chest, and nuzzled into her; breathing in her scent, and making a contented noise, as Karin held the animal close to her.
Off to the side, Toshiro watched the pair intently; observing the interaction with great interest. 'Hyorinmaru's usually only this friendly with me…he must be able to sense that she's trustworthy' he thought, as Karin turned her attention from the dragon in her arms, to him; a curious smirk on her face. "What's the matter, Toshiro? You look like you've been turned into a pillar of salt."
Toshiro shook his head in mild amusement, and walked up to the girl and his dragon. "Nothing. He's not usually this friendly, is all. I was intrigued." he said, as he scratched his pet once more.
A moment of silence passed between the two of them, before Karin looked back at him fully; studying him closely. Toshiro had indeed grown into a very handsome young man; with a strong jawline, soft and silky white hair, flawless tanned skin; and long, snow-white eyelashes. His most prominent feature, however, – and, in her opinion, his most attractive feature – were his beautiful turquoise eyes. They had the ability to captivate you to the point where you felt as though you were drowning in them. Sometimes, he looked at her in a way that made her feel like he could see into the deepest parts of her soul. It unnerved her in a way she'd never experienced before, and she wasn't sure if she liked the feeling or not. She'd never willingly – or unwillingly, for that matter – put herself under anyone else's power before; but if she stared at his eyes long enough, she thought she may choose to do so without hesitation…and that prospect scared her more than she cared to admit. Despite his aloof and distant attitude, there was something about him that she'd found strangely captivating over the last couple of months.
It wasn't just his physical appearance that was attractive, though. Over the course of the couple of months she'd known him, Karin could see that Rangiku had been right when she told her that there was a kind and caring man underneath that rough and cold exterior. She'd seen glimpses of it many times, and it made her realize just why his people, and nephew, idolized him so much. He may not be a very outwardly emotional person; but he loved his people and family greatly, and would do anything he could to help them whenever they needed it. He was a good, honorable man; something he felt the need to keep hidden for a reason she didn't understand.
Deciding to run the risk of ruining their newfound peace with each other, Karin asked the question that had been burning at the back of her mind since speaking to Matsumoto. "Toshiro, can I ask…what happened all those years ago that makes you feel like you need to close yourself off from the rest of the world? I know it's not my business, and I have no right to pry…but I just don't understand it." she said; watching as his hand stilled on the dragon, and he found her gaze with his own. She could tell he was contemplating whether or not to answer her question, if the thoughtful look on his face was any indication.
All was quiet between the two for several seconds as they watched each other carefully. Finally, just as Toshiro opened his mouth to speak, they heard the cry of a bird. Looking up, the young king's facial expression went from questioning, to serious, as he held his arm out, and the falcon landed on it; dropping his sheathed family sword in the snow beside him. Untying the piece of paper attached to the bird's leg, Toshiro read the message quickly; Karin watching as his face darkened, the more he read.
"Toshiro, what's wrong?" she asked, as he looked up from the piece of paper in his hands. "My sister just got a report from our men stationed near the Dragon's Pass. Some of Aizen's men managed to survive their journey through, and are almost out of it. Go back to the castle, Karin; I'll be back as soon as I can." he replied; picking up his family's sword, and strapping the silver chain around his shoulders.
Before he could move to go anywhere, however, Karin grabbed a hold of his arm; a determined look on her face. "There's no way you're going alone; I'm coming with you." she said, in a tone that booked no argument.
Toshiro shook his head in reply; a serious look on his face. "No. You're not properly dressed for the conditions out there, and you don't have your weapons with you."
Her grip on his arm tightened, and he had a sinking feeling he wasn't going to win this argument with her. She locked eyes with him, and gave him a stern look. "I'm a warrior, not a delicate flower; I'll be fine. Helping you keep your kingdom secure is a part of what I came here to do. Let me have your extra sword, and I'll be more than capable of taking care of myself. I'm coming with you, Toshiro; this is not up for debate."
Sighing in defeat, Toshiro untied the extra sword at his waist, and handed it to her. "Fine; I don't have time to argue with you about this…and, technically, you're right; this is what you came here to do. Come on, we need to go." he said; grabbing her hand, and walking over to Hyorinmaru's side. The dragon lowered its wing, and Toshiro stepped onto it with Karin in tow.
The raven-haired Kurosaki let out a surprised yelp, as she felt herself being lifted into the air on the dragon's wing; and Toshiro pulled her along it until they were both seated on Hyorinmaru's back. "Hold on tight." Toshiro said, as the creature spread its wings, and took off into the night sky.
Karin wasn't ready for the sudden lift-off, and latched onto Toshiro's waist like her life depended on it. 'Which, technically, it kind of does right now' she thought half-sarcastically as they flew through the air; the scenery speeding by them. If it weren't for the current circumstances, Karin would have thought she was experiencing the most thrilling thing ever; taking in the amazing view from her position high above the mountain range.
It only took them a few minutes to get there with Hyorinmaru flying at top speed, and what they found made Toshiro see red. The several soldiers that he'd had stationed at a nearby base, who responded to the intruders, now lay dead inside the pass. Below, they could see Aizen's fifteen remaining men clearing the last fifty feet of the pass as they checked for any more of Orora's guards.
The wind was howling, and snow was flying all around them. The visibility was atrocious; but, since Karin had fought in sandstorms before, she was confident that she could fight in this as well. She was now very glad that she'd tied her hair up into a ponytail before she'd gone outside for her walk; the last thing she needed right now was her spiky mane whipping around in her face.
As Hyorinmaru landed approximately fifty yards away from the entrance to the pass, she slid off of his back, and unsheathed her weapon; watching with a puzzled expression as the dragon prepared for takeoff once more. "Toshiro, where are you going?!" she yelled above the wind; a questioning look on her face.
"You'll see! Just make sure to stay back until I'm on the ground!" he yelled back, before Hyorinmaru took off once more; heading back the way they came before turning around, and flying straight for the entry to the pass.
Watching first with confusion, then amazement, Karin saw Toshiro get onto his feet while still in flight; keeping himself in a crouching position so as not to go flying off the back of his dragon. He unsheathed his sword, and Karin watched it begin to glow an icy blue as she heard him yell above the wind, "Reign over the Frosted Heavens, Hyorinmaru!"
The next thing she saw was definitely one of the most impressive scenes she'd ever bore witness to. As soon as Toshiro said the phrase, he slashed the sword in a vertical direction, and an enormous stream of ice came flying from the edge of the blade; launching into the ground below with enough force to shake the mountain, and send snow flying everywhere in massive volumes. It actually reminded her of her brother's own sword, Zangetsu. Ichigo's weapon had a similar ability, but his was some kind of pure energy projectile; instead of an actual physical element, like ice.
After sending out the massive ice stream, Toshiro jumped from Hyorinmaru's back while still a good fifteen feet in the air, and landed clashing swords with one of the few remaining enemy soldiers below him that was able to dodge the initial attack. 'Alright, he's on the ground. Now it's time to have some fun' she thought; a smirk making its way onto her face as she ran over to the snowy battlefield.
The two of them fought in perfect sync with each other, while the dragon assisted with his own icy blasts. If one didn't know any better, one would think that they had been fighting together their entire lives. They instinctively watched each other's backs, and were able to make short work of the remaining soldiers with their teamwork, and superior swordsmanship skills…that is, until Toshiro heard a ticking coming from one of the bodies that lay in the middle of the twenty-foot distance between himself and Karin.
Thinking fast, he whistled for Hyorinmaru, and pointed to Karin; with the dragon swooping down, and shielding the young princes with its wings and body just before the hidden grenade in the soldier's vest went off.
Karin was knocked off her feet by the tremors from the blast, but the dragon's scaled wings protected her from damage. It took her a moment to recover, but as soon as she did, her eyes went wide. Racing out from behind Hyorinmaru's wings, she quickly checked the dragon for any injuries, before scanning the area for Toshiro. The explosive had left a large crater in the middle of the pass opening, and bodies of both enemies and allies lay scattered across the bloodied landscape.
Suddenly, she saw one of the bodies move, and she drew her sword; ready and waiting. Upon seeing snow-white hair stained with blood, however, she quickly sheathed her weapon again, and ran over to him. "Toshiro! Are you alright?!" she hollered; weaving around the holes and refuse on the ground.
Toshiro had used one of the enemy soldier's bodies as a shield from the explosion, but he hadn't escaped completely unscathed. The lower half of his right arm, as well as his hand, were badly burned, and dripping blood. Karin knew he had to get out of the cold immediately, or the raw flesh would get frostbite.
The young king gave her a quick once-over, and checked her for any injuries, before nodding in reply. "I'm okay, but what about you?"
Karin nodded, and looked around for a moment; before making her way past him, bending down, and picking up his sword and scabbard. "Yeah, I'm okay, thanks to you and Hyorinmaru. Come on, we need to get you back to the castle to see to that arm." she said; walking back to him, and handing him his sword, which he took with his left hand. Thinking for a moment, she unsheathed her own weapon, and cut off half of her cloak; tearing it into strips, and carefully bandaging his arm with the pieces of cloth. She felt him flinch, but his face never once betrayed how much pain he was actually in. The burns were pretty severe, but Karin was confident she knew what to do in order to make the arm as good as new.
Finishing her work, she looked back up at him, and grabbed his left wrist. "Come on, we need to get you home. I'll take you to the medical wing, and fix up that arm properly." she said; dragging him over to his dragon.
Toshiro cocked a quizzical eyebrow at her as he followed her back to Hyorinmaru. "You know about medicine?" he asked; watching in amusement as she gave him an almost disbelieving glance. "You do know who my sister, and sister-in-law, are, don't you?" she replied; watching as a smirk made its way onto his face. "Yes, I do; but I wasn't sure if you were more like your brother, who only knows about fighting. Ichigo has never put much stock into expanding his repertoire of skills."
Karin couldn't help laughing at that. "Good point, but my brother and I differ in some ways; that being one of them. Orihime's taught me everything she knows about medicine, so don't worry; that arm will be as good as new in no time." she said, as the two of them mounted Hyorinmaru, and the dragon took off back towards the castle.
The ride back was silent, and they landed just a short distance away from the castle a few minutes later; saying goodbye to Hyorinmaru, before making their way to the entrance. When the doors swung open, Momo and Rangiku freaked out at the sight of Toshiro's bandaged arm, and bloodied face and body. It took several minutes for Karin to calm them down, and insist that Toshiro was going to be fine; she just needed to get him to the medical wing, and make a salve for his injuries. She had Rangiku gather the needed herbs from the castle gardens, and instructed Toshiro to strip out of tunic and undershirt so she could check him over for any other injuries.
While the young king had been resistant to that request, at first, she eventually won after an extended glaring contest between the two of them. Now, she was just finishing the salve as she heard the rustling of fabric. 'Good, he's actually listening to me this time' she thought, as she turned around; the bowl of medicine in her hands almost falling to the floor when she saw him. He was facing away from her, and there was an enormous scar that ran down almost the entire length of his back; crossing from his right shoulder blade, to just above his left hip. Based on the look of it, she estimated it to be around eleven years old, or so. Surrounding it were many smaller scars from years past, as well; and she felt a deep sense of pity swell up in her at the sight. "Oh my god, Toshiro…what happened to you?" she said in a hushed, shocked tone. It wasn't every day that she saw injuries as bad as this.
The young king glanced over his shoulder at her, before looking back out in front of him; sighing, and letting his shoulders sag. "That's twice now today that you've asked me that question. I should probably give you an answer…but, not here. If you're not too tired, come to the drawing room. I'll explain there."
Not really knowing what to say, Karin just gave a simple "Okay" in reply, as she made her way over to him; unwrapping the makeshift bandages, and cleaning up his wounded arm, before applying the salve. She felt him tense slightly, and she gave him an apologetic look. She knew the salve would burn on first contact with the raw skin, but he would start feeling relief from the injury within the hour. She quickly covered the entirety of the injured limb with the medicine, and bandaged it back up, before looking him over quickly for any other injuries; pleased that she found none. "Alright, that's the last of what needs to be done. Go clean yourself off, and I'll meet you in the drawing room; I want some explanations." she said; a sarcastic smirk on her face that she hoped would ease the heavy atmosphere a little.
Toshiro gave a slight smirk back, before picking up his discarded garments, sliding off of the medical table, and making his way over to the door. "Thanks for the help, Karin…both here, and at the Pass. I'll meet you in the drawing room." he said, as he put his shirt back on, and exited the medical wing.
Karin watched him go, and couldn't help the mixture of dread and excitement that settled in the pit of her stomach. 'I'm finally getting answers, but I'm not sure I want to know anymore…not after seeing that scar' she thought, as she tidied up her workstation, and made her way back to her own room to change into her sleepwear. 'Well, if he's going to keep me up late, I can at least be comfortable'
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She arrived in the drawing room before Toshiro, and waited for him to make his appearance; standing by the fire, and enjoying the warmth of the flames. Her bedroom was always very warm, so she'd taken to sleeping in her favorite silk pants, and shirt, that hung to just above her belly button; exposing her midriff. While not considered respectable, or ladylike, she found them comfortable, and had insisted on them remaining in her wardrobe; despite her father's, and brother's, protests. They were the perfect breathability for her warm room, but she forgot how cold the castle itself could get in the evenings; so, she had on one of her thin coats, as well. It wasn't the warmest set of clothes she'd ever worn, but it would do until she went back to bed.
True to his word, Toshiro emerged from around the doorway a few minutes later; stopping for a moment, and staring at her with an unreadable expression on his face, as his cheeks adopted a light shade of red. 'Huh, so he does know how to blush; cute' she thought amusedly, as she gave him a nod in acknowledgement.
The young king nodded back, before making his way over to the picture of his father and uncle that had caught her eye two months ago; picking it up, and making his way over to her. Handing her the picture, he gave her a humorless smile. "Are you ready for a long and depressing story?" he asked; the shadows under his eyes making him look years older than he really was.
Karin looked from the picture in her hands, to him; giving him a nod in response. "Yeah, I am…as long as you're sure you want to tell me." she replied; searching his eyes for any sign of hesitancy. Finding none, and seeing him nod, she sat down on the sofa next to the fire; Toshiro sitting down next to her.
It was only then that she noticed he only had on a pair of long sleeping pants, and an open dressing gown; exposing the scars from years of battle, and the muscles from years of training, on his toned torso. She did her best to suppress the blush she could feel trying to make its way onto her face. 'Dammit; Yuzu's the one who has these kinds of reactions, not me!' she thought frustratedly; making sure to keep her focus on his face.
Toshiro watched her closely for a moment, before he asked her a question. "How much do you know about me; from the time my parents died, to now?"
Karin shook her head as she replied. "Pretty much nothing. Everything I knew about you, I knew through reputation, and gossip, only; and most of that only pertained to military matters."
Nodding in response, Toshiro closed his eyes, and took a deep breath; opening them again, and focusing his attention back on her. "When I was five, and Momo was twelve, we decided that we wanted to learn swordsmanship. At the time, no one knew yet of Aizen's exploits in the west, or his crimes against humanity. For all intents and purposes, he was a skilled, and well-respected swordsman under king Yamamoto; and my parents liked him. They asked Yamamoto if they could send for Aizen to train me and my sister, because we didn't have any exceptionally skilled swordsmen in our kingdom at the time; apart from my Uncle Jushiro, who was suffering from an illness. It was that decision that led to my parents' murder." he said, as he turned his gaze to the blazing fire in front of them; his face adopting a far-off look. "Momo became infatuated with him, and when I travelled to Karakura with my parents for your mother's funeral four years later, Aizen persuaded her to agree to an elopement. Do you remember us returning to our kingdom earlier than planned, because my father had some unexpected business to attend to?" he asked; to which she nodded, and he continued. "Well, rumors of the elopement was the unexpected business. We returned home immediately, and my father sent Aizen away; severing his contact with Momo, and telling him never to return to our kingdom again. Momo was devastated, but Aizen's true goal all along had been to marry her, and then kill me; thus, making him the next king of Orora. He thought that would be the easiest way of seizing the throne, and gaining a powerful kingdom from which he could launch his siege of the other ancient kingdoms. When that didn't work, he tried a different tactic."
At this point, Toshiro closed his eyes, and breathed deeply; his hands clasped together in front of him. Karin could tell he was reliving the unpleasant memories in his mind, and she was starting to wish she'd never asked about his past in the first place. 'Well, it's too late now' she thought, as he refocused back on the dying flames licking at the fireplace walls. "Somehow, he snuck into the castle on my tenth birthday. When we were all getting ready to retire for the night, he attacked us in the foyer. He killed my father first, and then came after me. My mother got in front of me, and tried to stop him; but he cut her down easily. Some of the guards even helped him fend off Rangiku, Uncle Jushiro, and the others who were trying to save us. I ran away from him, threw open the front doors, and whistled as loud as I could to call Hyorinmaru, while I ran out into the courtyard. He caught up with me, and slashed me across the back." Toshiro said; unconsciously reaching up with his left hand, and rubbing where the scar started on his right shoulder. "I was lucky it didn't cut my spine in half. Fortunately, Hyorinmaru heard me, and showed up just in time. He was able to drive Aizen out of the kingdom, with his parents' help, and they stood guard at the castle for weeks afterwards. When I was carried back inside by my uncle, and rushed to the medical wing, I passed the dead bodies of my parents, laying on the floor in pools of their own blood; and when I got to the medical wing, I saw Momo laying on the bed next to mine. She was unconscious, and she'd been stabbed in the stomach. I don't remember much after that, but I do remember Rangiku sitting with me, and reading me stories while I drifted in and out of consciousness for the next several days. When I woke up about a week later, Momo was in stable condition, and Rangiku and Jushiro had formed a regency to protect the crown until I came of age. With my father's death, the kingdom was left without a ruler, and I couldn't take the throne for several more years; so, my uncle became regent, and Matsumoto was named as his successor, should anything happen to him before I was able to take the throne."
Pausing for a moment, Toshiro transferred his attention from the fire, and back to Karin; finding her gaze with his own. "Both of my parents were taken from me, and I almost lost my sister. To add to it, the doctors told us that she would never be able to have kids because of where, and how, she was stabbed. I held Aizen responsible for taking away my parents, Momo's future, and my extended family. As soon as my back was healed enough, I significantly increased the time I spent training; and on my twelfth birthday, I joined the army when the war started. I fought, and bled, alongside my men; and worked hard to build a reputation with them. I wanted Aizen dead; and, to do that, I needed the loyalty of my people, and a strong military, to take him on. What I really wanted, though, was to make that bastard pay, myself…and I thought I was going to get that chance, until my fourteenth birthday. My uncle was doing his routine inspection of the Dragon's Pass, for security purposes, when he was ambushed by some of Aizen's men. Normally, he would have been able to handle them easily; but in the middle of the fight, he must have had an attack from his lung illness that left him incapacitated, and they were able to cut him down. As soon as I heard about what had happened, I went out there with Hyorinmaru, took care of the intruders, and brought his body back. I took the throne three days later." he finished; his eyes dark, and clouded over with sorrow.
At that point, Karin stared at him with wide eyes; shock replacing the sympathetic look on her face. "Wait, you took the throne at fourteen? You were still just a child!" she exclaimed; watching as he nodded in confirmation. "I may have been a child in terms of age, but I was far from the innocent nine-year-old you knew back in Karakura. I was legally eligible, and my regent was gone; I had no choice. In some ways, though, I didn't let it stop me. I've still been fighting on the front lines with my men, and I've watched countless friends and allies be cut down before their time. The only difference now is that I wear a crown."
Pausing, Toshiro sighed, before looking down at his hands. "He's killed my parents, and my uncle; maimed my sister, and killed my most loyal friend's husband. I think he has something of a personal vendetta against me now for what my family did to him in the past, and he seems to take particular pains to try and harm those close to me. Rangiku's husband, Gin, was just one of the latest casualties in a long list of people. When Momo married Izuru, and got pregnant with Ryu, he became her miracle child, and my successor in the event of my death. I've done everything I can to make sure this kingdom stays secure for them, and my people, which is why Momo and Ryu never travel anywhere with me…I just can't take the chance of having them vulnerable. I'm lucky nothing serious has happened to Izuru, or Rangiku, yet; and even though Aizen knows about Hyorinmaru, he can't get to him." he said solemnly, as his face adopted a thoughtful expression.
There was another pause, and short stretch of silence between the two, before Toshiro looked back up at her. "It's not safe to be close to me, so I don't bother getting to know people; and I have a lot of trust issues because I've been betrayed by people in the past who I thought were allies. The events in my life have turned me into a hard man, and I've learned to be content with my life as it is. I can't see myself living the way Matsumoto wants me to, because of those trust issues; so, I'll rule as well as I can for as long as I can, and most likely pass the crown onto Ryu when the time comes. It's not my own future that I'm fighting for, anymore…it's his." he said; his eyes holding a deep, hidden pain that Karin found almost unbearable.
At this point, though – and much to her surprise – he gave her a small, soft smile. "To be honest, I don't really know why I'm telling you all of this. I tend to keep things close to my chest; but, after watching you with Hyorinmaru, I believe I can trust you to some extent. I warn you, though, Karin: don't try to get close to me. It hasn't ended well for most everyone I've known." he said, as his smile dropped into a frown; a serious look on his face.
Karin stared back at him for a moment; keeping her gaze locked with his as she reached up, and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I appreciate you telling me all of this, Toshiro; your instincts due you credit. You're neglecting one important fact, though." she said, as a smirk made its way onto her face. "I'm way too stubborn to die. Aizen can throw whatever it is that he wants at me; I can promise you I won't break. You're my ally now, and…I'd like to think, my friend. I'll have your back, whatever happens. Like it or not, you're stuck with me now. We Kurosakis are immensely loyal, and unreasonably hard-headed, so you won't be getting rid of me that easily; and if Dad or Ichigo were sitting here, instead of me, they would be telling you the exact same thing." she said; a confidence, and reassurance, in her eyes that he'd never seen before.
Toshiro watched her closely; the intensity of his gaze making Karin truly feel the weight of what her words actually meant to him. She could tell that he wasn't used to having people he could lean on, and he'd grown accustomed to handling everything on his own. 'Well, now he has someone to lean on, whether he likes it or not' she thought, as a small smile made its way onto her face.
Holding his gaze, but retracting her hand from his shoulder, Karin's smile grew slightly. "And by the way, Matsumoto has a point. I know it's hard to live life to its fullest after going through the kind of trauma that you've had to deal with, but I promise you that you'll regret not taking the chances that come along when you get older. Live your life, Toshiro; make some good memories to counteract the bad." she said; watching as his facial features softened a bit, and he reluctantly nodded.
Feeling her smile grow even more, Karin glanced down at her hands for a moment, before bringing her gaze back to his. "Also, I need to thank you for protecting me today; you and Hyorinmaru. It would have ended badly for me if you hadn't acted as quickly as you did." she said; gratefulness reflecting in her stormy grey eyes.
The corners of Toshiro's mouth shifted upwards into an infinitesimal smile, as he nodded his head slightly in acknowledgement. "You're welcome; I'm just glad I thought of it in time. Besides, your family would skin me alive if I let anything happen to you." he replied; a smirk making its way onto his face.
Karin smirked back, and nodded her head in agreement. "That's true. Trust me when I say that my brother is the last person you want coming after you. I have to say, though; from what I just saw today, you're an intimidating opponent, yourself. You and Hyorinmaru fight together like a well-oiled machine, and that blast of ice was pretty damn impressive. Was that your family's ancient sword? It's a powerful weapon."
Toshiro nodded in confirmation, before getting up; walking over to the door, picking up his sheathed blade, and sitting back down next to her with it. He handed it to her, and watched in amusement as she unsheathed it; inspecting it closely, and taking in every fine detail. "That sword, along with the dragons, are our kingdom's strongest line of defense. I've been wielding it since I was seven years old. My father was never much of a swordsman, so he gave it to me as soon as I was old enough to handle it properly." he said; his voice softer now than it had been a few minutes ago.
Gently, Karin ran her hand along the blade's edge; admiring the water-like patterning of the metal. "It's beautiful, and it looks brand new. It's hard to believe it's as old as it is." she said; sheathing the weapon again, and handing it back to him. "What kind of metal is that? I've never seen it before, but it's all over the place here."
Toshiro put the sword on the floor next to him, and looked back at Karin. "It's called Damascus steel. It originates from Wootz steel, which can only be mined here. It's an extremely light, flexible, and durable material, so most of our weaponry is made with it."
Karin listened intently, as an eager smile made its way onto her face. "Could I try one out, to see how it compares to my sword?" she asked; excitement in her eyes.
Seeing her enthusiasm made Toshiro smile in return, and he nodded his head. "Of course. I'll see to it that there's one waiting for you in the training room tomorrow."
Her smile widened upon hearing his response, and the enthusiasm she was feeling shone in her big grey eyes. "Thank you, Toshiro; I really appreciate it." she said; giving him a grateful look, and watching as he shook his head. "It's the least I can do to repay the medical assistance you gave me today." he replied; giving her a grateful smile of his own.
Putting her hand on his shoulder again, Karin cocked her head to the side as her smile softened. "You don't owe me anything for that, Toshiro; it's what friends and allies do for each other. I know you would have done the same for me, had the situations been reversed. Now, I don't mean to be rude, but if you don't mind, I'm going to retire for the night. The adrenaline is finally starting to wear off, and I'm getting very tired." she said; Toshiro nodding in agreement, and both of them getting up.
When they rose from the sofa, Karin shivered involuntarily from the chill in the air; not having realized how cold it had gotten in the room, with the fire having died out some time ago now.
Seeing her shiver, Toshiro walked over to a chair in the far corner of the room; grabbing the fur blanket draped over the back of it, and walking back over to her. Gently, he draped it over her shoulders, as he made eye contact with her again. "Yes, you need to get to bed before you freeze down here. Goodnight Karin…and thank you again for everything. Like it or not, I am in your debt." he said; holding her gaze, and giving her one more small, grateful smile as he pulled the blanket closed around her.
Karin stared at his mesmerizing turquoise eyes for a moment; hyper-aware of their close proximity, but not wanting to back away. Grabbing the edges of the blanket from him; a soft, gentle smile made its way onto her face. "No, I'm the one who should be thanking you for what you did for me today…and for confiding in me. I promise, you won't regret it. Goodnight, Toshiro; I'll see you in the morning." she replied, before reluctantly breaking eye contact with him, and walking out the door to head back to her room.
Toshiro watched her go; processing the entirety of the conversation from start to finish, as a soft smile made its way onto his face. 'She really is a remarkable woman…Isshin's daughter, through and through' he thought; turning to the lamp on the table, extinguishing it, and making his way back to his own room.