Heh...Heh...Heh..

Uum... I apologise for the lateness of this chapter. I really have no excuse... :'(

Special thanks to Rossetto-Chan for creating a brilliant OC called Yoko!

Disclaimer: I don't own bleach Tite Kubo does. I don't own Yoko, she is the property of Rossetto-Chan. I do however, own my OC Ryuu.

Hope you enjoy!

After Toushirou had released Karin he gave her a soft smile. His eyes looked a lot less lonely, Karin noted. Returning his smile, the two began the long trek back to the Kurosaki household. Along the way they chatted about the lessons that would undoubtedly be happening in the future. Karin wasn't sure what was in store for her but every time she thought about it, butterflies would erupt in her stomach. It wasn't that she doubted her abilities (not that she had any abilities yet…) it was more a sense of foreboding. She'd never liked not knowing about something… it always gave her a ominous feeling.

As Karin prattled on, Toushirou ever so slightly turned his head to look over his shoulder. His teal green eyes locked on the petite figure of Kuchiki Rukia, hovering in the distance. With an affirmative nod of his head, Rukia gave the captain a bow before flash stepping away. Her mission was to watch over Karin, but she knew the younger girl would be safe with the tenth squad taichou.

"Eh? Toushirou…?" Karin said hesitantly, squinting ahead.

Toushirou cocked an eyebrow at her and looked ahead, trying to figure out what she was squinting at. After a minute or so looking, he turned his attention back to the still squinting Karin.

"What's up?" he finally asked, though he wasn't sure if he really wanted to know. Sometimes Karin's mind had the tendency to wander onto random topics. Even Toushirou was wary of her, and he was her best friend.

"There's a girl stood over there… waving at me… wearing a Shihakushō*…" she trailed off, face confused. She didn't know any female shinigami besides Rukia-Nee and Matsumoto-San. But this shinigami seemed to know her… or was it Toushirou she was waving at? Looking over, Karin saw that he too was sporting a confused expression. He obviously didn't know this shinigami either.

(A/N: Shihakushō* – Shinigami uniform literally 'garment of dead souls')

The girl must have realised by their expressions that they were confused because the next thing Karin knew, she was flying through the air and had landed in front of them, zanpakuto in hand. The next thing Karin knew, she was being pushed behind Toushirou who had left his gigai. He too had brought out his zanpakuto. Toushirou's eyes took in the shinigami standing before him. Average height, long black hair reaching her waist, and brown eyes focused on the girl behind him. He let loose a growl and shifted so that he blocked Karin from view.

"Identify yourself, shinigami." Toushirou ordered, standing to his full height. In the back of his mind he registered the fact that he was taller than this girl, he could easily intimidate her. He took it a step further and let some of his reiatsu leak, but upon hearing Karin's gasp of pain, he quickly drew it back in.

'Damnit! I haven't got her used to high amounts of reiatsu yet!' he thought, mentally berating himself. He snapped back into reality when the girl finally spoke. Her voice was quite high, much like that of a young teenage girl.

"My name?" she giggled, eyes dancing with amusement, "my name is Yoko, Hitsugaya Taiiiichoou!" She gave Toushirou a quick bow and peeked round him to take another look at Karin. Karin held the girl, Yoko's, gaze. She wouldn't back down to this shinigami, even if it was at something pointless like a staring contest. Yoko seemed to be thinking along the same line as Karin as she leant forward and grinned, her eyes never leaving Karin's.

It was Toushirou who broke the staring match. He pulled Yoko back to her original position and risked a glance at Karin behind him. She still looked confused but she had a small grin on her face, obviously finding Yoko amusing. She laughed when she was the murderous expression of his face. His eyebrows were furrowed and she could practically see the steam coming out of his ears. He was clearly the superior in this situation, yet both girls were treating him without the proper respect.

"What's your purpose in being here, Yoko?" The Taichou asked, his usual stoic expression returning.

"My purpose?" Yoko questioned, tipping her head to the side.

Toushirou gritted his teeth. He had no idea if she was playing dumb or if she was genuinely confused, but either way he was annoyed. "Yes. Your purpose." He growled, "As in, what do you want?"

Karin gulped as she saw Yoko's grin widen. The shinigami's eyes seemed to almost sparkle with mischief. Normally, Karin would love having a front row seat at times like this, however, she was beginning to think it would be wise for them to leave. This shinigami was obviously asking for trouble and Karin had a feeling she was about to make it.

"I want her!" Yoko sang. She lunged at Karin, arms stretched out towards the young Kurosaki. Karin let out a panicked yell when a man with green hair pulled her out of the way. He had a huge blue X going across his face and his clothes reminded Karin of the colour of Toushirou's eyes. The green haired man stayed by Karin's side as Toushirou lunged at Yoko, zanpakuto at the ready. However, he never got to her. Just before Toushirou's sword was about to come down on Yoko, a man suddenly appeared and blocked the attack. He was quick to come to Yoko's defence, deflecting all Toushirou's attempts to get to her.

"Ryuu Sama! Don't fight with him, please!" Yoko screeched, pulling on the man's arm. As soon as she said the words, Ryuu's attack holted. His eyes levelled with Toushirou's and he slowly took five steps back, lowering his zanpakuto. Toushirou, sensing the battle coming to a halt, quickly made his way to Karin's side. Placing a tender hand on her cheek, he leaned down to whisper to her;

"Are you alright?" His eyes were desperately seeking reassurance that she was okay, roaming every square inch of her face. He nodded to Hyorinmaru in thanks. If he hadn't of pulled Karin out of the way, things would have gotten ugly. The green haired man simple bowed his head and faded back into Toushirou's zanpakuto, leaving a trail of ice behind as he did so. Karin could only nod mutely in response to the taichou's question. She could feel a blush painting her face with every word he said. 'He fought for me… he was fighting to protect me…' Karin realised. She wanted to say thanks to him but she wasn't sure how. How could she thank him without over stepping the boundaries? They were already walking a fragile line as it was.

"Baka. Starting fights with girls… you're a regular playground bully…" she mumbled, daring to look up at his face. Toushirou just chuckled and patted her head fondly. Even without her saying the word's he knew what she meant. He admired how shy she had become since he returned. It seemed like Karin had finally allowed her mask to slip off for him, bit by bit. She wasn't as violent as she used to be and he rarely saw her frown anymore. It was a nice change, he concluded. Seeing her able to smile more freely lifted some of the weight in his heart. His girl was shaping up to be one amazing person.

By the time Karin had stepped away from him, she realised that Yoko and 'Ryuu Sama' were gone. It seemed Toushirou had only just realised too as he let out a string of curses aimed towards them. Sighing half heartedly, Karin dragged him back down the path towards her house.

"You've got to be kidding me." Karin groaned when she walked in. Sat on the sofa talking animatedly with her father was the shinigami from earlier, Yoko. For once she was immensely grateful that Toushirou had patrol right now. If he had saw Yoko he would have ended up attacking her again. Dumping her bag by the door, Karin stomped over to the pair and pointed an accusing finger at Yoko.

"You! Why are you here?" she seethed, eyes narrowing. Yoko blinked before answering her, though she seemed nervous all of a sudden.

"You wouldn't believe me, so I don't see why I should explain it to you." Yoko stated calmy, declining politely when Isshin offered her a bowl of ramen.

"Try me." Karin challenged, sitting down opposite the girl. Not that she got a closer look at her, Yoko resembled her slightly. They had the same colour hair and their brown eyes almost completely matched.

"My darling daughter, wouldn't you rather have some-" Isshin started dramatically but was cut off by Karin's foot making contact with his face. Karin didn't say anything as she heard her father start preaching to the Misaki poster hung on the wall, she just calmly waited for Yoko to explain.

"We're cousins." Yoko finally spoke, her tone had turned serious and her eyes were no longer full of mischief. They were calm and focused. She held up a hand as Karin went to say something, "Let me explain, Karin-Chan. Isshin is my uncle, when I died and was sent to Rukongai all I remembered was my last name, Kurosaki. I was in one of the first districts when I nearly passed out from hunger. One of the taichou's found me and asked my name. When he heard it, he immediately brought me over to your dad's squad."

By this point, Karin's jaw had dropped open. Everything in Yoko's story added up so far, it seemed like she was telling the truth. "When Isshin-Oji saw me, he said I looked just like his sister. He went back to the human world where I died and he confirmed from my gravestone that I was his niece. I came here today because I wanted to meet you. Matsumoto-San kinda let it slip to me that you were alive…"

Karin had so many questions she wanted to ask her 'cousin'. She wanted to know why she had become a shinigami. Did she remember her human life? Had she met Karin's mother? Did Ichi-nii know her? But in the end she settled for;

"Who was that man earlier, the one that saved you?"

Yoko's eyes once again sparkled, but this time it was with adoration. She let out a high pitched giggle and came to sit next to Karin, holding her hand tight. "That was Ryuu-Sama!" she giggled, a blush adorning her face, "he's my fiancé, isn't he wonderful?"

"Fiancé?" Karin sputtered. Yoko was engaged? She barely looked eighteen, not to mention Ryuu looked to be about twenty two years old. "You're getting married to that guy? How old are you?"

"I know what you're thinking, Karin-Chan. But it's really not like that. When Isshin-Oji was exiled, I was left by myself. I wasn't a shinigami so I couldn't stay in the seiretei… Ryuu-Sama took me in on the condition that I would attend the Shinigami Academy. He was in his final year, so he said we could work together to become shinigami. At first, he treated me with the respect that he gave everyone else… but when we started talking more, I realised how much more my life was when I was with him… so when he proposed… I said yes. And to answer your question, I've just turned 415, I look good for my age, right?".

Karin snorted and was about to make some sarcastic comment about anti wrinkle products when she sensed another presence. She blinked when she saw Ryuu enter the room and come to sit by Yoko. He had a calm expression on his face and bowed politely to Karin as he passed.

"My name is Wakabi Ryuu, an honour to meet you Kurosaki-Chan." He uttered, expression still the same. Karin bowed back and uttered a quick 'likewise' before observing the couple. Yoko was practically brimming with adoration as Ryuu settled next to her. Karin watched her cousin's face light up as Ryuu patted her head fondly.

"How long do you intend to stay, cousin Yoko?" Karin asked sheepishly, not wanting to interrupt their private moment.

"Uuum… Ryuu-Sama said he was happy to stay here for however long I wanted… I've always wanted to experience this 'school' the human's have. I think I'll tag along! Isshin-Oji already sorted it out. By the way, Karin-Chan, what's the relationship between you and Hitsugaya Taichou?" Yoko sang, hugging Ryuu's arm.

Karin's face flushed as she thought of how to answer. In her mind they were best friends, but with everything that had happened lately she wasn't sure what they were anymore. All she knew was that Toushirou was important to her. He fit into her life somewhere and she wasn't sure there was a label for that important part. Before she could answer however, Toushirou answered for her.

"Well, Kurosaki Yoko." He started, smirk in place, "Karin's my special girl and I'm the one who protects her. I don't like it when people go after my special girl, and you see when she get's threatened, I won't hesitate to step in. Got it?"

Although the speech was aimed towards Yoko, Karin could tell it was truly aimed at Ryuu. Her point was proved when he stood up and shielded Yoko, eyes narrowed dangerously. Karin's eyes found Yoko's and in that instant she knew the two of them were thinking the exact same thing: they'd have to keep the boys away from one another.

Karin sighed, raking her hand through her long hair. It had just occurred to her that both males would be attending school together tomorrow. In the same class. In the same room. For six hours.

Oh joy.

So... what do you think?

Let me know your opinions on Yoko and Ryuu (I'm sure Rossetto-Chan would love some feedback on her character!)

Once again, special thanks to my friend Rossetto-Chan!

Please R&R... Or else Hitsugaya Sama will cry...

PolkaDots44 over and out!~