I don't own Bleach.

Inspiration strikes during car rides. Another present-tense for these two.

Waterlogged Fields

They are five and seven. Mere strangers.

Karin meets the turquoise-eyed shortie through her older brother.

After practice sessions, Ichigo likes to invite some of his teammates over.

Ichigo introduces Toshiro as one of the best players, even though he's two years younger than the rest and a bit shorter.

Karin is five, and she dismisses him. She idolizes her brother, and that's all she sees.

Karin picks up soccer, and Ichigo is happy to help whenever he can.

Ichigo plays soccer, so she plays soccer. She wants to catch up to him soon.

They are six and eight. Acquaintances by then.

Karin isn't a mean child. She's not Yuzu, but nobody is.

But Karin is a little too rough and a little too blunt. She doesn't make that many friends with children her age.

When Ichigo goes to unofficial practices, he lets Karin tag along.

She says hi to everyone all the time now. They know her as Ichigo's little sister, and they like her.

The feeling is mutual. She likes them a lot too. She wants to play alongside them, but Ichigo doesn't want her accidentally hurt. Instead, she watches them.

Renji is like another older brother. He ruffles Karin's hair like Ichigo and grins a toothy grin like Ichigo. They kick the ball the same too.

Chad is quiet, and Karin would have forgotten he was ever there if it weren't for his size. Despite his towering frame, Chad is protective and gentle. Karin thinks if he was a bit more competitive, he would be better in the sport.

Grimmjow is obnoxious, rude, and cocky, but Karin thinks that his personality fits for his skills in soccer.

Shinji is tricky and sly. He can be lazy, but when he wants to, Karin notices he can steal the ball from anyone.

When Karin watches them long enough, she realizes her brother wasn't lying when he said Toshiro is one of their best. He's clever and quick. He isn't selfish enough to try to score a goal and steal the glory for himself either. Instead, he does a safer pass and gives the ball to someone else so they can finish the job.

Karin is six, and she thinks Toshiro can be a better teacher than her brother.

"Toshiro, coach me."

They are seven and nine. Now student and teacher.

Karin is surprised that Toshiro accepted her request in the first place. She hardly talked to him before. Only a few exchanges, but she doesn't question it. She is too eager to improve.

Toshiro's teaching style is straightforward, and his genius shows in his talent to pass along skills to Karin.

Karin soaks everything he says and everything he does.

Karin was good before Toshiro. All the time spent alone with a soccer ball made her good.

However, under Toshiro, Karin excelled. She was beating the boys in her grade, and everyone wanted Karin on their team.

Karin is seven, and she finally gets some friends at school.

She's happy when Toshiro says that the lessons are over because she feels like the gap between her and her brother is smaller.

They are eight and ten. He is one of her guardians.

Karin has a bad temper. Again, she's not mean. But she's protective. A little bit too protective. She gets it from her older brother.

Like her older brother, Karin wants to protect everyone she cares about.

Yuzu, especially.

Jinta, one of the boys a grade ahead of her, makes fun of Yuzu. Maybe he likes her, and that is his way of expressing it.

But he makes Yuzu cry, and Karin bites back.

She has a habit of getting hurt, so she doesn't care that Jinta is bigger and taller.

Karin is a bit bruised and bloodied when she sees familiar silhouettes step in front of Jinta.

Ichigo, Renji, and Toshiro.

Jinta runs away.

Ichigo wants to chase him, but Renji stops him. He curses to himself instead.

Karin gets up and wipes the blood from her knees.

She's mad that her older brother had to step in; she wants to protect Yuzu too.

"Are you alright?" Toshiro looks at Karin with aloof eyes. However, she knows that there's more to Toshiro than his cold, unsympathetic demeanor. Her days with him and soccer revealed that he is anything but.

Karin gives him a word answer and he raises a delicate brow.

"You're crying."

Karin is eight, and she is frustrated.

"I'm fine, Toshiro."

They are nine and eleven. Just distant friends.

Karin hangs out with Ichigo's friends less.

It's about time, she thinks. She feels like she shouldn't keep trying to tag along.

It's time to grow up. Just a little bit.

Karin starts building a friend group of her own.

Ryohei can be rotten and spoiled. His parents are distant and rich. Karin appreciates his humor, though perverted.

Heita is more humble. His family is poor, so he understands working hard.

Kazuya can be incredibly dense. His glasses are deceiving, but he does his best to try to keep up the facade.

Kei is kind. He isn't the bravest nor the most confident, but Karin thinks his heart is one of the best she's gotten to know.

They all look up to Karin, their leader. They revolve around her and listen to her. She's smarter and more athletic. They wish they can be half the soccer player she is.

Karin is nine, and she becomes an idol herself.

They are ten and twelve. She likes teasing him.

Whenever she sees him, she can't help but notice their height similarities.

Toshiro is two years older and a male, but puberty has not yet caught up to him.

Karin knows he doesn't like to be reminded, but she gets a few giggles when she pats his head.

"You're such a squirt!" Karin laughs.

Toshiro grunts negatively, but otherwise doesn't tell her to stop.

Karin is ten, and she gets away with a lot.

They are eleven and thirteen. Soccer buddies.

He's two grades ahead of her, but Karin has far surpassed anybody her age in terms of soccer skill. She asks Toshiro if he's willing to play with her, and he agrees.

Ryohei, Heita, Kazuya, and Kei can't keep up, so they don't join anymore.

Toshiro and Karin play together often. They shoot goals, dribble the ball, and do drills.

Karin thinks she's getting almost as good as Toshiro.

Karin is eleven, and she stops trying to compete with her brother.

They are twelve and fourteen. They get a bit closer.

Karin realizes that she has a crush on her brother's friend.

She notices that she likes Renji in a way she doesn't for Ichigo or any of her guy friends.

The more she sees him, the more she notes his broad shoulders and bold tattoos.

She blushes now when Renji messes up her longer locks and adverts her eyes when Renji grins at her.

She doesn't want anyone to know because Renji likes Rukia. And what's not to like? Rukia is graceful and elegant. Her independence and poise practically radiate.

Karin's heart bounces when she sees them interact together, the first fickle feelings of jealousy sprinkled with admiration.

Renji has competition from her brother, so he doesn't make any strong moves. But it's obvious.

So she does her best to keep her secret, and she thinks that she's doing a good job.

But Toshiro comes in and smirks at her.

"Renji? He's old, you know."

Karin scowls and looks away, embarrassed. "Sixteen isn't old."

"Ichigo would never approve."

That's not the problem.

Whenever Renji comes over, he always greets Karin in a familiar way. Swings one arm over and dishevels her hair with the other. He smiles at her like he does to everyone except Rukia.

Renji will never see Karin as anything else but his little sister.

Karin sighs. "He wouldn't approve anyone."

Toshiro shrugs because she is right and sits with her. An unrequited love is a love best not dealt with alone.

Karin is twelve, and she gets her first crush.

We'll see where this goes. I'm thinking another three-shot. Stay with me.