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Toshiro Hitsugaya, captain of Squad Ten, didn t show emotion very often.

Still, he couldn t help but fidget nervously at the weight of his companions stares.

Companions, plural, because right now Ichigo Kurosaki s right eye was normal, while his left eye was the amber-and-ebony of his inner Hollow, whom Ichigo hadnamed H. Ichigo Shirosaki (Horo Ichigo, Hollow one who protects Shirosaki,

White Destination as opposed to Kurosaki, Black/Dark Destination ) or Hichigo for short.

So. Ichigo s gaze seemed slightly hostile. You re here to pick Karin up for a date?

Hai, Hitsugaya replied, tugging at his collar. He silently cursed Matsumoto and Hinamori for their girlish need to force him into something formal, or at leastSunday best , for the occasion.

Hn. Ichigo seemed lost in thought. She should be home soon. Yuzu dragged her to the store.

Ah.

The awkward silence stretched.

Is Kurosaki-taicho home? Hitsugaya asked uncomfortably.

No. Dad had to attend a conference out-of-town. Which leaves his job to me. Us, he amended after Hichigo apparently complained in his head.

Job ? Hitsugaya asked nervously.

Ichigo nodded.

It is typically the father s job to grill the potential boyfriend in order to judge whether or not he approves of the guy. As the eldest, the older brother andthe interim man of the house , it falls to me in his absence.

Grill? Hitsugaya murmured, visions of a trial-by-obscenely-large-barbeque filling his mind.

Interrogate.

Oh.

Ichigo leaned back.

So, Toshiro tell me. What about Karin do you like?

Hitsugaya was taken aback.

Excuse me?

You obviously find something about her attractive. What is it? The mismatched eyes conveyed that Toshiro had better answer extremely carefully.

Well, she is physically attractive, but more than that, it s her strength. Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. How she can make you fear hell itself by

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glaring at you. How she can take anything life dishes out without flinching.

##

How she can KO a Hollow by kicking it with a soccer ball, Ichigo joked.

That frankly, scares me.

Join the club.

Ichigo and Hitsugaya both noticed the reiatsu of Ichigo s sisters approaching the house.

OK. Let me wrap this up then, Toshiro.

Hichigo was given temporary control.

Karin is to be home by ten. It is a school night and she needs her rest. If she is not home by then, King has promised to let me HUNT. YOU. DOWN. I d advise not being late. You might not survive to get a second chance.

Toshiro swallowed audibly.

And if you-EVER-break Karin-chan s heart

Hichigo leaned in close. Toshiro shrank back.

Or King, Zangetsu, or myself ever find out that you took her innocence and then dumped her

Toshiro whimpered.

Hichigo gave his trademark insane grin.

Ichigo and I will hunt you down like the dog you were and kill you. In the slowest, most torturously painful ways imaginable, having Orihime-chan revive youafter each time so we can have another go. She has already agreed to help ifnecessary. Are we clear, Shiro-chan ?

Hitsugaya nodded dumbly as Karin walked in, Yuzu trailing behind.

Oh! Toshiro! I didn t expect you to be so early! Karin exclaimed, glancing at the clock.

Oh, it s alright, Ichigo replied smoothly. It gave Toshiro and I a chance to chat.

Really? About what, nii-san?

Oh

Ichigo gave Toshiro a knowing grin and secretive wink. The ice-user blanchedslightly as the older boy put an arm around his shoulders.

Guy stuff.

Um, yeah so shall we get going, Karin? Toshiro said.

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Sure! Just a sec.

Yuzu leaned in close.

He gave you the big brother talk , right?

Hitsugaya nodded glumly.

Don t worry. He was ten times worse on Jinta on our first date. Mr. Urahara couldn t coax Jinta outside the shop for months. She wandered to the kitchen to put the food away.

Ready! Karin chirped.

Have fun, you two, Ichigo called. Remember, home by ten.

Yeah yeah. Karin waved her hand dismissively, not even glancing over her shoulder at him. Toshiro did, however

And nearly passed out as white spirit particles began fluctuating on the left sideof Ichigo s face, Hichigo giving a sadistic grin.

I ll be sure to have her home by then, Ichigo. See ya!

Toshiro rushed out.

Capt. Zaraki s interrogation when he learned of Yachiru fukutaicho s crush on me was much less traumatic, Hitsugaya decided.