My Past Haunts Me

Returning to Normal

Welcome back to "My Past Haunts Me" there isn't much left to write for this book, so we are definitely in the last few chapters, so all I really have to do is tie everything up. If you have any questions you would like to answer that you think I have left out, This is the time to ask those questions.

Chapter 8

Toshiro was allowed to leave the hospital after two days, Karin had stayed with him for both of the days while Rangiku watched Haru. Toshiro stood at the entrances of the hospital waiting for Karin, a lot had happened within the three days. Karin and Toshiro had talked a lot about everything. Toshiro had revealed where his mom was, what had happened in the basement of the old house, and they had decided on what to call their relationship if they ever needed to explain what they were. Karin and Toshiro had both said that the titles boyfriend and girlfriend seem childish, so they ended up just agreeing to call each other if someone asked a significant other even though they weren't married. It just seemed right considering they were partners at work and were together wherever they were. There were only select times when they were apart. Toshiro shook away his thoughts as Karin pulled up in the car, and got in.

    "Rangiku said she would drop Haru off at the apartment," Karin told him as he got into the car. Toshiro nodded as they headed to their apartment in silence. There was so much they talked about, but there were still things they needed to talk about. Karin parked in their normal spot before getting out of the car. They went up to their apartment, Karin couldn't help but laugh as she glanced at Toshiro. Toshiro was getting irritated with her, and looked at her,

    "What's so funny Karin?" he asked.

    "Your face, I wonder if Hyourinmaru will recognize you with all that bruising, You're lucky that your nose is already starting to heal," Karin commented. Toshiro rolled his eyes.

    "You know this isn't the first time I've come back all beaten up since I joined the force" He commented as he opened the door to see the old dog lying in his bed. Hyourinmaru came over wagging his tail and Toshiro petted his fur. Toshiro sighed as he saw the dog getting weaker every time he saw him. Toshiro sat on the couch with the dog jumping on it next to him laying down on his lap like when Hyourinmaru was a puppy. Karin watched the two as she made some drinks in the kitchen only to be interrupted by a knock.

    "I got it," Karin said as she saw Toshiro starting to get up. Toshiro nodded and stayed where he was petting the dog. Karin opened the door to see Rangiku carrying her baby carrier and Haru standing next to her with a backpack. Immediately as he saw Karin he hugged her. "Haru, what's wrong?" she asked holding back a wince from the boy as slightly causing pressure to her broken rib. She hugged him back. 

    "Nothing... I just missed you," he trailed before he looked over to see Toshiro on the couch with Hyourinmaru. He took in all the bruises the older male had on his face. He hadn't really seen Toshiro's face when he had seen him the one time he was at the hospital, as he had been sleeping in the bed and his face had been hidden by the handrail that the boy couldn't see over. Haru let go of Karin and stared at Toshiro before he walked over to him. "Are you alright?" he asked. Toshiro was surprised to see Haru standing in front of them, he nodded,

    "Yeah, I'm fine thanks for asking Haru," Toshiro replied softly, not knowing what else to say to him. Haru got on the couch beside Hyourinmaru dividing Toshiro and him, petting the dog. Rangiku and Karin just smiled at the scene. Rangiku came into the apartment setting the baby carrier down before taking Daichi out.

    "Can I hold him?" Karin asked holding out her arms for him. Matsumoto nodded as she handed the child over. Karin held the child with her hip as he was roughly 8 months. Toshiro couldn't help, but watch as Karin cuddled the child excitedly. Toshiro and Haru eventually ended up talking about Hyourinmaru and how Toshiro had had him before he had even become a police officer while Rangiku was having fun making Karin embarrassed as she talked about Karin may be having a child one day and that Toshiro would be a good father. Eventually, Rangiku had to leave and that was the cue for Haru to go take a shower leaving Karin and Toshiro sitting on the couch exhausted from the day.

"So Haru seems to have found a new liking towards you," Karin said excitedly. Toshiro couldn't help agreeing. "I'm really glad that he's starting to like you, it makes me relieved," she continued as she laid her head against his shoulder.

"Yeah, that means he's healing from the past and doesn't see me as the same person like my father," Toshiro replied simply. The two talked a little bit longer until they heard the bathroom door open and turned to see Haru coming down the hall with his pajamas on.

"I'm ready for bed," he announced proudly, Karin smiled and nodded before standing up and following Haru down the hall to his room. Toshiro got up as well and followed stopping at the door not sure how comfortable Haru was with him. Karin tucked the child into the bed before lightly kissing his forehead,

"Goodnight Haru," she said softly as she began to walk towards the door to stand with Toshiro.

"Goodnight Karin, goodnight Toshiro," Haru replied with a yawn. Toshiro lightly smiled,

"Goodnight Haru," he said simply as the boy rolled over and Toshiro grabbed the door handle shutting it. Karin entered their room first gathering her clothes and changing out of them. Toshiro quickly turned around with a bright red face surprised by Karin's actions.

"Karin," he said embarrassed. He could hear her laugh,

"What? I would like to say this is my room too now and we are now each other significant others, rather than boyfriend and girlfriend. I don't see why I should be worried about changing. Besides, I know you won't take advantage of me. On another note, if men that aren't my partners have seen me naked why can't you see me with my undergarments while I'm changing for a sec," she commented as she got under the covers with her big t-shirt and a pair of shorts on. Toshiro sighed in defeat, she was right this wasn't that big pf a deal.

"Fine, but I get to sleep in my boxers," he said with a smirk, hoping that she would tell him no, so she could somewhat understand where he was coming from.

"I'm not shy," Karin laughed as she cuddled into her pillow. Toshiro gawked at her before taking off his clothes and putting pajama pants on and joining her in bed.

"I thought you were only wearing boxers tonight," Karin said tiredly.

"Shut up," he softly as he wrapped his arms around her from behind spooning her. "As you said you know me. You knew I wouldn't just wear boxers, plus if I have to get out of bed quickly having at least pajama pants on is safer anyways," Toshiro finished before he closed his eyes to fall asleep, "Goodnight Karin,"

"Goodnight Toshiro," Karin said accepting his answer.

Alright, I have an Epilogue and then that will be it for this book.