- Prologue -
"Can you—?" Karin stopped, unable to finish.
Wearily, Orihime stood from her place and allowed the shinigami to fit into her previous position. Green spiritual energy permeated the darkness of the room.
Minutes passed and the company assembled in the Kurosaki's house grew more subdued. Eventually, the shinigami sat back on his heels, head down.
"I can't do anything for her. I'm sorry."
Karin was stunned. These were the death gods, the fighters, the balancers of souls—they were supposed to be able to fix everything.
But they cannot fix Kurosaki Yuzu.
Karin moved to be beside her twin, wishing they were alone, wishing that Ichigo was there.
Karin looked up to meet the eyes of her father. He was already crying silently. Karin silently touched the chain that had appeared on her sister's chest.
And all of a sudden, everything is too real and too painful and too big for her to fathom. And Karin cannot bear it.
She stood and retreated from her house. She walked and walked until she started running, and then she's running and not looking back. She permitted herself to break her promise and let the tears fall.
"You should perform Konso."
Isshin nodded, but he doesn't move.
"If you want, I can do it," Urahara offered.
"No," Isshin said. "She's my daughter."
Slowly, Isshin moved to unsheathe his sword. The sword handle hovered over Yuzu's pale forehead.
Isshin attempted a smile and squeezed his daughter's small hand.
"We love you, Yuzu."
Her spirit was engulfed in light and then the only remains were Yuzu's body and a hell butterfly.
It took some time for Karin to work herself back into a state of composure, but she did. Yes, her world had fallen apart, but she didn't have to look like it.
Ichigo was finally contacted and corralled back to the Human World. They had a funeral. People came, several of them being from the Soul Society.
Karin ignored them all. She was in mourning.
They were burying Yuzu next to Masaki. Pink roses adorned her casket.
Karin kept her eyes downcast as the rites were said and the memories recounted. Ichigo broke down during his speech. Karin felt the knife that had entered between her ribs dig a little deeper.
Isshin held her hand throughout the entire service. Karin did not know if he was doing it for her benefit, or for his.
The funeral ended and faces peered in at her, squeezing her shoulder and pulling her in for hugs that Karin did not desire.
She turned away from them and started walking home. She heard Isshin say, "Karin just needs a little time."
What I need, Karin silently corrected, is Yuzu.
As Karin left the cemetery, a flash of white caught her attention. Karin turned and looked him square in the eyes. She flinched a little. That shade of blue-green had always unnerved her.
It was evident that he was sad. His expression did not hold its usual pride or dignity. His lips pursed in unhappiness as their gaze held.
He took a slow, measured step towards her, but Karin shook her head. She could not deal with this today, and she would not.
She blinked and resumed her journey, ignoring Hitsugaya Toshiro as if he hadn't been there at all.
More to come. Perhaps.