Precious Times Together Ch 09

Toshiro and Karin showed up in the largest common room belonging to squad 10 – the indoor training room.  It was by no means as well-equipped for squad practice as the outside practice area, but it would do depending on the size of the group and the condition of the outside weather.  For events such as a lunch gathering, it was just fine.

Rangiku had done an admirable job getting the food to the squad on-time and all those who were expected had showed.  

Karin ate quickly in-between the formal acknowledgements she gave each time someone said "Happy Birthday!" to her.  

While the normal socializing was going on, Ichigo sought out Toshiro and found him in the corner of the room eating obviously keeping an eye on Karin as she nervously interacted with many of the Shinigami she had just met today.  Toshiro noticed the orange-haired substitute coming towards him and readied himself for the conversation he knew would be coming his way.

"Toshirrro," Ichigo said in a low tone, getting across his concerns in just saying one word.

"Kurosaki, she's growing up.  When are you going to stop being so protective of her," said Toshiro flatly.  

"So what is that supposed to mean?  The last time we talked about this you said you were just friends," said Ichigo.

"We are.  But keep in mind, the last time we talked about this, it was more than a year ago.  You never know when things might change," noted Toshiro.  "She's growing up whether you like it or not.  And she's not going to say innocent and naïve forever."

Ichigo sighed.  "Yeah, I know.  It's just….she's my sister."

"So is Yuzu, yet I know she has been dating for a little while now…," said Toshiro non-chalantly.

"What!?" said Ichigo.

"Oh crap," said Toshiro.  "I forgot I wasn't supposed to mention that."  Foot firmly placed in mouth.  

"What on earth do you know about Yuzu?  Spill it!" said Ichigo.

"Listen Kurosaki, I wasn't supposed to say anything so if you want to ask your sisters, go right ahead.  Just keep in mind that you may get your wish of keeping Karin away from me because she is going to kill me when she finds out I'm the one who told you.  But my point was, Yuzu is dating and everything is ok.  You didn't even notice.  You seem so worried about them, but they are both growing up and they are both going to be fine."  

Ichigo pointed a finger squarely at Toshiro's face.  "You'd better hope so," said Ichigo.

Ichigo huffed away, though the conversation had already caught Karin's attention.  She made her way over to where Toshiro was standing.

"Being anti-social as usual?" asked Karin.

"You mean by standing here away from everyone, or getting into yet another argument with your brother," said Toshiro.

"Well, sort of both.  What was that all about?" asked Karin.

"Do I really have to tell you?  You're going to be mad," said Toshiro.

"It was about me?" she asked instinctively.

"Kind of, but that's not the part you're going to be mad about," answered Toshiro.  "I kind of told him about Yuzu dating."

"You what?!" she yelled.  The entire room turned to look at them.  Karin turned a little red at her outburst garnering so much attention.  

"What?" she finally said a little quieter.

"Sorry," he said.  "I forgot it was a secret."

Karin exhaled.  "I guess what's done is done.  She's been dating for a while now so it was bound to come out sometime.  I know he loves us, but since he got his reiatsu back, he's been gone more than he was before.  I thought we could keep it from him even longer."

"I think he just needs time to get used to it.  You guys aren't kids anymore," said Toshiro.  "Both of you are teenagers and its just natural that you will date, and stay out late, and…"

"I get it!" she interrupted, a little embarrassed.  This was the one person she really didn't want to discuss her dating life with. Does he even have a clue who it is I want to date?  I love being around him, but it's so hard when I'm not sure how he feels!

"Sorry," he said, not really sure what he was apologizing for.

"It's ok," she said.

"It looks like things are winding down a little bit here, are you ready to go?" Toshiro asked.

"Uh, sure," she replied.

"Hold on.  I'll go get Momo and we'll head out," said Toshiro.

Momo?

OlOlOlOlOlO

Karin, Toshiro and Momo walked out of the squad 10 barracks together and made their way to the western gate of the seireitei.  Through the gate they went and into the Rukongai.  

"Is this where all the souls come when they leave the world of the living?" asked Karin.

"Hai," answered Momo.  "Though most souls will not remember a thing about where they came from, how they died, or who they once knew."

"That's kind of sad," said Karin.  

"It can be.  Not every story is a happy one, that's for sure.  But new families and bonds are often formed and everything works out for the best," said Momo.

"Though I can't say it was easy living with her," joked Toshiro.

"Speak for yourself Lil' Shiro," answered Momo, mussing up his hair.

Toshiro grimaced and blushed.  "Bedwetter Momo," he said under his breath, just loud enough for both of his companions to hear it.

Karin had never seen Toshiro joke around with anyone but her before.  It was kind of refreshing to see that he wasn't always so proper and formal with others.  Seeing both of these siblings – or as close as they could be to that in the Soul Society – together was heart warming for her and she was glad to see a glimpse of happiness between the two.  She had no idea of the angst they had both just gone through and had just come to an end earlier that day.

"Here we are," said Momo as they approached a small house in the 1st district.  "Granny's house."

"This is where you grew up?" asked Karin.

Just then an older woman with two young kids came to the door.

"Toshiro and Momo, I've been expecting you!" said the lady.

"Granny," said Toshiro as he went over to her and gave her a small hug.  

"It's so good to see you two together again," remarked Granny.  Both Momo and Toshiro had separately confided in her, their grandmother, all the heartache and pain they had gone through after the Aizen defection.  

"Granny, this is Karin," said Momo.  "She's a friend from the world of the living."

"It's nice to meet you, Karin," said Granny.  "I knew from Toshiro's message that he would be bringing a friend today, but I had no idea it would be someone from the world of the living.  How is this possible?"

"Granny, do you know Ichigo Kurosaki, the savior of Soul Society?" asked Momo.

Granny nodded an affirmative answer.

"This is his sister," said Toshiro.  "We have become good friends over the years and today is her birthday.  My gift to her was a trip to the seireitei."

"Ah, I see," Granny remarked.  "You must be special then.  Not only are you human, but Toshiro, my icy grandson, has deemed you worthy enough to bring you all the way here."

Toshiro and Karin both looked down at the ground, not really sure what to say to that one.  

"Come in then," said Granny.  "I have the tea ready."

They entered the simple dwelling and took seats around a small coffee table in the center of the room.  The rest of the afternoon was spent reminiscing about Momo and Toshiro's time spent together before their academy days.  Granny told the funniest stories about her two young charges of the time.  There was lots of name-calling and spitting of watermelon seeds at one another.  Karin was all too happy to hear of some of the experiences the man she liked had gone through when he was young.  It seemed to bring her closer to him and inadvertently strengthened their bond.  

After a few hours, the human and two Shinigami departed Granny's house and Momo bid farewell to Karin so she could return to squad 5 to wrap up some paperwork that she had put off so that she could attend the lunch and outing.  Toshiro delivered Karin back to the Kuchiki estate where Ichigo was impatiently waiting for his sister to join him.  

"It's about time," said Ichigo.  "You are almost 15 minutes late."

"Sorry," said Karin.  "We lost track of time."

Ichigo simply rolled his eyes and waited for his sister to join him by his side.  "Ready?"

Karin nodded.  The gate opened in front of them and they entered.  

OlOlOlOlOlO

The Kurosaki siblings made it home in plenty of time for Yuzu's grand birthday dinner for the family.  The dinner was unusually lively with all four family members present at one time.  Everyone was in a great mood and there was lots of smiling and laughing as they participated in their own reminiscing, mostly about Karin and Yuzu's childhood and all the funny moments they had growing up.

After the birthday cake and opening of presents, the family gathered around the TV for some time together watching shows that were purely fictional and carefree.  

Karin was the first to head up to bed.  She crawled under her sheets and stared at the ceiling, thinking about everything that she had seen this past day.  In the forefront of all her memories was the one person who gave her the visit as a gift, and who was by her side for the entire day – Toshiro Hitsugaya.  She liked him more than ever and longed to be at his side.  

Her thoughts swirled around the concept of sacrifice.  Though she was still young and acknowledged that dating at the ripe age of 15 doesn't usually turn into a long-term relationship regardless of who the couple is, she knew that if Toshiro was her "one", she would forever be separated from him.  It was very hard to accept.  She didn't want it that way.  But she didn't think she could ever forget him and every boy she ever dated would ultimately be compared to him.