Chapter 14:Pressing Forward

Rukia ran into the room housing Ichigo's broken body despite various cuts on her body. She stopped abruptly as she noticed the yellow light surrounding the orange haired teen, Orihime was in the process of healing him, which was a sure sign he would live. After all Karin was in a more critical condition and needed the use of Orihime's powers first and they weren't sure how long Ichigo could hold up in his position. But the teen fought to the last holding out till Orihime was able to tend to him. It also help that his father was able to help with a Kido spell or two.

Ichigo's father was another story. The surprise on Rakia's face was unimaginable when she saw him at the table talking to Urahara like they were old friends. She had quickly inquired about Ichigo's presence despite their concern for her minor wounds. She simply ran into Ichigo's occupied area, pushing her curiosity about Ichigo's father and why he was dressed in Shinigami drab, white Haori tied across his shoulder, into the back of her mind.

She knelt down next to the large breasted red head that was hard at work on healing her would be 'boyfriend'. Orihime responded with a warm smile and a greeting. Rukia faintly smiled back, wishing she could touch Ichigo, comfort him in some way. However, Orihime's healing shield made that impossible and the raven haired girl was stuck watching him slowly breath.

Orihime.

Rukia new love sickness when she saw it, she being a victim of it before. Orihime had loved Ichigo very much, she could tell just by looking at her. The way she looked at him mirrored her own desires, lust, passion, and a host of other primal emotions. She felt guilty in a way. Rukia hated seeing her dear friend in pain, but Ichigo had chosen and he had chosen the midget with a powerful kick. The only thing Rukia could do now was be a comforting friend.

"I know how you feel, Orihime," Rukia suddenly spoke up after a long moment of silence from when she first came to kneel next to Orihime and Ichigo. "I know what it's like to love and not be loved," Her voice remained somber and serious.

Orihime looked over at Rukia with a big fake smile, "What ever do you mean Rukia?"

Rukia simply placed her hand on the girls shoulder, "Inoue…"

Orihime's smile faded as she realized she could not get out of this one. She began to tear up, and Rukia embraced the usually bubbly girl when she began crying. Rukia comforted Orihime like she was a child, after all in her eyes she still was. She shushed her until the girls tears stopped and she was able to look her in the eyes.

"Listen carefully now… There is someone out there for you. He's just waiting for you and you'll find him. I promise." Rukia reassured Orihime, smiling genuinely.

The red head smiled lightly. "Thank you Rukia." And they embraced each other again.

"Oi, why are you too huggin'?" Ichigo piped up as if he were a million times better then he was ten minutes ago.

The two girls jumped away from each other as soon as they heard his voice, sweat dropping and looking rather embraced. Rukia was quick to defend them. "Hugging? what do you mean?"

Orihime's shield disappeared and Ichigo sat up. "When I woke… you two were huggin'."

Rukia glared at Ichigo with eyes comparable to the devils himself. "You were hallucinating, Ichigo, understood?"

Ichigo simply cowered in fear of his girlfriend and quickly believed what she ordered him to. "All right," he gulped. Ichigo then looked to Orihime. "Thanks for healing me, Inoue."

Orihime nodded and smiled "Your welcome Ichigo…" a moment of silence came between them before Orihime spoke again. "Well, I better go… Urahara asked me to make us all some dinner!"

Ichigo and Rukia almost gagged as Orihime left the room. Anyone would at her cooking, well, except Matsumoto.

The two were finally alone.

Rukia took this moment to launch into Ichigo's arms and squeeze him with every fiber of her being. She sighed contently as he laid back down, her head on his chest.

Ichigo rubbed Rakia's shoulder while looking up at the ceiling. "Is Karin…"

"She's fine." Rukia responded reassuringly. "Orihime treated her first; Captain Hitsugaya is with her right now. You're lucky to have a sister like that and a father."

"What they hell dose my idiot father have to do with this?" Ichigo asked confused.

"He stopped Ulquiorra from giving Karin a final blow, with his bare hands. At least that's what Toushiro told me when I saw him waiting with your father as Orihime was healing her." Rukia nuzzled into Ichigo even more. "Didn't even have to release his Zanpakuto."

Ichigo began to sit up. "Where the hell is my father, I'm guna kill him. Why do I always find out things last, why…?" He was quickly cut off by Rukia's fist.

"Stop being so loud, fool." Rukia rested her head back on his chest. "Rest for now, with me… we'll have plenty of time to get everything straitened out once your better."

Ichigo sighed deeply. He really wanted to gut his father but he couldn't miss a chance to cuddle with Rukia. He would have to be Patient.

They soon fell into a peaceful sleep.

Toushiro Hitsugaya watched Karin sleep rather peacefully. The events of today were overwhelming and the Captain took this moment in time to mulley over his thoughts. Isshin Kurosaki was the father of the girl he self admittedly loved. He had at first thought that Kurosaki was an extremely common sure name in modern times. Never once had it crossed his mind that Karin and Ichigo could be related to the great Isshin Kurosaki and now it was all to clear.

He reached out to Karin and softly rubbed her cheek. He had come in time but was frozen by the sight of her father grasping Ulquiorra's sword, Isshin's still resting in its sheath. He was utterly amazed; it had been a long time since he felt his Captain's overwhelming presents. It was indeed a scary yet comforting thing. Subconsciously Toushiro moved a strand of hair behind Karin's ear smiling sheepishly at her. No wonder Karin and her brother were so strong, it obviously ran in the family.

"Hitsugaya?" Isshin's voice softly echoed through the room. He stood in the doorway blocking out some of the light that entered the darkened area.

Toushiro quickly snapped back, away from the man's daughter, and bowed his head. "My apologies, Captain."

"Come on Toushiro stand up." Isshin said goofily. "I gave you my permission, remember?"

Toushiro stood up slowly. "I'd like to apologies anyway, I had no idea this was your daughter and…"

Isshin cut him off. "Toushiro, lighten up. I'm not guna kill you. After all these years I'd think you would of changed, but I see you're still that 3rd seat who's amazingly respectful and loyal. Not to mention a rather handsome fellow, I'm glade I left making you Captain… and that makes me glad that my daughter fell in love with you and not some other testosterone driven teenager."

Toushiro bowed. "Hai."

Isshin opened up his arms and smiled at the white haired Shinigami "Now stop calling me Captain and give your hunky friend a hug!"

Toushiro froze with wide eyes, sweat dropping like no tomorrow. "Ah…"

Isshin stood waiting "Come on…"

Hitsugaya saw no alternative and moved closer to the man. He was enveloped in a bone crushing hug and then was suddenly let go, the awkwardness not truly washing off.

Isshin laughed at the tenth division captain, shaking his head. "Yep, still as stiff as ever. I'm off to find Matsumoto." Ichigo's dad then raced out of the room to find the busty strawberry blonde, probably to give her an awkward bone crushing hug.

Toushiro turned back to the sleeping Karin who started to move. She opened her eyes slowly and then stretch which, by the way, had to be the cutest thing Toushiro had ever seen. You're getting soft Toushiro.

Karin smiled sleepily at Toushiro before sitting up. "Hey? How's Ichigo? Is Ulquiorra dead?"

Toushiro laughed, "Hey, Ichigo is fine, and yes your father took care of that." He ruffled her hair a little.

Karin smacked his hand away and pulled him closer to her. "So my dad really was there… then he's a?"

Toushiro lets her rest against him. "A Shinigami? Yes, he used to be a Captain. Of my division actually."

Karin shook her head "Wow… and he never even told Ichigo?"

Toushiro shook his head, "No… I didn't even know you were related to him, and when I found out I seriously thought he was going to castrate me."

Karin looked up at Toushiro, "He doesn't approve? Of us I mean."

Toushiro laughed, "The opposite actually."

Karin sighed, "One down, the rest of Soul Society to go."

Toushiro kissed the top of her head, "I don't know how we're guna do it though. I mean Matsumoto doesn't even know yet, although her feelings will more then likely be joyous. I can't wait to hear from the Head Captain." Toushiro's last comment was full of sarcasm .

Karin moved against Toushiro to face him. "Just tell me that what ever happens you promise nothing will separate us."

Toushiro nodded, "I promise."

Karin pressed her lips to his briefly to seal the promise. "I'm sorry," She said after a moment.

"For what?" Toushiro asked.

"Not being able to defeat Ulquiorra." Karin looked down.

Toushiro lifted up her chin. "Don't be. You did what you thought needed to be done. Whether you killed him or not you protected your brother and that was your goal. There is one thing I'm confused about though. Why didn't you use your Bankai?"

Karin smiled, "I wanted to get stronger, so I could kick your ass with just my Shikai. I figured if I could beat that creep with my Shikai, I'd have no trouble kicking your ass."

Toushiro shook his head. "You can't hold back on these guys. You need to give them everything you have. Besides you don't have the experience required to fight with just Shikai against a Bankai like release. If you wanted that kind of strength you should have asked to train with me or your brother or Abari, even Ikkaku."

Karin sighed "I just wanted to do it on my own; you've already done so much for me as it is. I just couldn't ask for anything more."

Toushiro shook his head. "You can ask me for anything, Hime"

Karin stuck her tongue out in fake disgust. "You did not just get all gush on me Captain Hitsugaya."

Toushiro raised an eye brow. "Would you rather me call you a psycho bitch? Because one thing is true for sure, it's that you are defiantly not a princess."

Karin hit him over the top of the head "I thank you for the compliment, shorty."

Toushiro fumed. "I'm not short!"

Karin grinned mischievously at him. "Yes you are, I mean stop hiding from it Toushiro. You're just in denial."

Hitsugaya dived to Karin's lips capturing them in a heated kiss. "I said shut up."

And they continued like that for some time.

A man in a black Shinigami uniform stepped up to the door and knocked on it ever so politely. His face was impassive and ruff, stubbles on his chin, much like Isshin's. His hair was rather long and curly much like Captain Shunsui Kyōraku's but as black as Karin and Rukia's. His eyes, a peircing blue.

He smiled as Orihime opened the door. She looked rather confused as she studied the strangers face.

"Afternoon." He stated with a smile. "I'm here to see Isshin Kurosaki. Tell him it's Meiyotou."

Orihime smiled at the man and let him in. She didn't know what it was about him but something he did, the way he walks, carried him self, or something entirely other than a physical notion made her heart even warmer.

A/N: Yeah I Introduced an OC… sue me. But I had this character in my mind for a while and didn't know where and when to introduce him. As always and thanks for the reviews. I'll try and crank out around three chapters next weekend but can't promise anything. Until next time R&R