Soft kitty

Chapter.. 9...

...............Confirmed suspicions.........

Thunder clouds commenced a mournful tune over head. Their view, forever obscured by thickening darkness; a sad hue barely defeated by a few lit lamp posts lining her path. Rain, it wouldn't be too long now until it comes, announcing the seasonal monsoon through its down pour and frozen wind; much like the evil bellowing her deathly attire.

Ruki-nii strayed not too far from her home post, a move on her part, Karin guessed that had everything  to do with composing one's inner storm. And dear kami, Rukia's mimicked a blizzard. Shackled by a debt she had finally began to pay for the humans, imprisoned by an unwanted emotion she mistook for love; things were sour beyond taste, damaged beyond repair whence it came to her heart.

Karin Kurosaki gripped her swords much closer to her hip. Her fingers despite being gloved felt the biting coldness which settled onto its hilt: a stark reminder of why she'd become a soul reaper in the first place. As worthy as this decision had been, she'd never once regretted her choice. But knowing now, how truly selfishly that decision had been made to begin with, remained a constant reminder each and every time the wind grew its  intensity; everytime the snow had touched her skin. Her fanatic fascinating for Toshiro grew from admiration into infatuation; a devastating turn she never should have taken.

No use crying over spilt milk, her father would say.  Guess the old man did have his uses when it really fucking mattered. This last unannounced trip wasn't solely meant to apease her wounded pride, this shattered love she hadn't meant to feed over the past several years. It was all about confirmation. Once more she needed grounding evidence in regards to these lingering thoughts of what ifs and maybes. Tonight karin would finally decide for her self   Toshiro's true intentions. Whether they be friendship or miraculously more,  it was time to move on; time to avoid that same painful journey Rukia had taken.

Squad ten's gate came into view as with a few stationed guards that took little trouble with her sudden presence. Being their Captain's self appointed nakama, and their savior's little sister did have their uses, she couldn't argue against these facts. Looking up, it seemed the tower rooms were still lit at this hour, and more importantly the main office as well, announcing to all passers by how much of a workaholic Ten's taichou really were.

"Karin-sama what brings you here at this hour?"

"Oyasumi- Gobu-san. It's getting cold around here" she greeted the elder general kindly, bowing as a youngster should before seeking a minute warmth behind the large barrier. "Captain's still up I see?"

"Hai, he's just about to call it a night I reckon", the older man waved before reshutting the unpainted gates. Knowing no more was needed of him at this point, dutifully Gobu retook to his post; a silent consent to the usual unauthorized visit. It was an error in security that demnded strict ordinance, post haste.

Then again, she figured, even his eyes too had been blinded by hers and the captain's borderless camaraderie; not that Karin faulted the mammoth like reaper for such oversight. That major laps in judgement was more or less both their faults; her for not respecting the definition of personal boundries, and him not kowing when to set one.

The vast hallways of the upper flat now came into focus with the slowed pacing of steps. Traversing these olden stair case she admired so fucking much, felt like a journey leading to one's impending doom. They conjured with in an uncontrollable emotion of being pushed towards the edge of a mountain. Yet still, Karin Kurosaki threaded on with a hopeless but determined heart.

Seven years had been enough. It was time to end her own selfish miseries.
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