Karin walked towards the Urahara Shouten with a spring in her step. The high of winning the soccer championship had not worn off yet, and she whistled happily as she went off to visit Hitsugaya.
The moment she entered the courtyard, she felt an unfamiliar presence. It felt like an onrush of reiatsu, and it was unlike Karin had ever experienced. Curious, she pushed open the door and bounded in.
"Toushiro! What – " Karin was cut off by the sight of Hitsugaya in full captain attire, Hyourinmaru slung over his back, getting ready to step through the glowing Senkai gate. He had stopped and his emerald eyes were wide with surprise.
"What… where… are you going?" Karin sputtered.
Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow. "Back to Soul Society, of course," he replied.
"But… but…" Karin was lost for words. She did not know he would be going this fast.
"But?" Hitsugaya questioned. He turned around fully to face her. "I don't live here, you know."
"I know that, but…" Karin fumbled for words. "Please stay! Please!"
Hitsugaya looked into her eyes and saw that they were shining with tears. In that instant, he felt like staying, completely forgetting his duties and obligations in Soul Society and playing soccer with Karin forevermore. However, he pushed that idea out of his head with more than a little pain.
"I can't," he whispered. "We are human and Shinigami, you and I. We cannot… be together."
He kept looking at Karin, and saw her heart break. Before his broke, he turned around and faced the gate once more.
"If it's any consolation, Karin, I… had a great time being your friend. And more. I'm sorry."
And he stepped through the gate, leaving a small mist of reiatsu in his wake. The gate quietly shut, and Hitsugaya was gone.