" Are you alright?" Toshiro asked when his eyes immediately noticed her injury, " Your leg is bleeding."
She rejected Toshiro's hand and
stood up by herself. " I'm fine. I just need to get it bandaged up that's all."
Although she'd said that, Karin didn't feel all that great. That slash that hollow gave her still stung.
" Hold still." He instructed, placing a hand above her injury as a dim glow emitted from his hand. The ball of energy enveloped her leg and soon enough, the wound had closed up and only dried blood remained.
Karin was in awe at the work of magic that happened. Fascinated and amazed, she quickly moved her leg to test the extent of his healing abilities. Soon realising who was in front of her, Karin composed herself and cleared her throat.
" Uh...thanks."
He shook his head, " No worries."
Karin cautiously eyed Toshiro. Now with that sudden hollow attack, it was an understatement to say she was a little guarded.
Most of all, it was so awkward.
" So...why are you here? Is it about my spiritual energy?" She watched as Toshiro nodded. She couldn't quite meet his eye. Karin, for one, wasn't sure on how to act around him.
"The decision came back." Toshiro said, " The head captain agreed with my proposal. However, it was under the condition that in 3 months, you would have already mastered your spiritual control."
" And what happens if I don't?" Karin asked.
" Then we'll need to go back to our options before. Either you continue training to be a shinigami or go under a binding contract." Toshiro stoically said; however, for a brief moment, a hint of sympathy settled into his voice, " It was the best that I could do."
" I see, thanks I guess." She murmured just enough for him to hear it. There wasn't anything else she could think to say.
" I know it's a lot to take in now. I can give you space to think about it."
Karin tightly held onto herself. She could feel the stress eating away at her. There was so much to consider and so little time. Even with her brother by her side, she felt so isolated. Karin shook her head.
" No." she firmly interjected. " I'll do it. I think after what just happened and yesterday..."
" I just need time to let this sink in, but hang by for a bit. You don't need to talk much, just...be there." Karin's eyes shot up to Toshiro, " Could you at least do that?"
It wasn't by far the strangest favour he'd heard yet. Easily enough, Toshiro complied. Cleaning up the mess from the prior attack, he followed Karin on her way home.
Walking along the pavement, the street roads were vacant of cars. The sounds of cicadas hummed in the background as her gaze met the horizon. Soft traces of the setting sun trailed along her tan skin, and the town was dowsed into an iridescent twilight.
Toshiro watched as her hand trailed lightly against a rustic railing. Then she stopped. Rested along the small hillside that led to the thin stream of water, Toshiro couldn't help but feel as if this was all familiar.
" It's been a while hasn't it?...well maybe not in shinigami years. But, uh... how's everything?" Karin asked.
He took a moment to think. Toshiro could barely recall the past couple of years for it felt both so long and short. The memories that he could remember were plagued by violence and war. Sifting through battle after battle, he couldn't keep track —mindlessly clawing his way forward with every new command.
YOU ARE READING
Playing with Fire (Rewritten)
Fanfiction" I can't do that," Toshiro responded as the wind blew into their faces. His white locks of hair swayed loosely over his bright green eyes. Karin thought about how ghostly he looked - a picture-perfect image of an otherworldly spirit. He didn't look...
