Karin and Toshiro exited the sankeimon gate and found them selves in Urahara's shop, as Ichigo and Rukia followed them out of the gate they were greeted by Mr. Hat,n,Clogs himself.
"Well look who decided to drop in" he said from behind his fan. Urahara walked forward wrapped an arm around Karin in a light hug.
"I missed you to" she said as he released her from the hug.
"What brings you here to my humble shop?" Urahara said sliding back into character.
"We're here for her funeral" Ichigo said pointing at Karin.
"I see, are you planning on staying in spirit form then? He ask.
"Yeah, it might be a little weird if someone sees her at her own funeral along with two other dead people" Ichigo said, indicating himself and Rukia.
"I think I have just the thing to help you with that little problem." Urahara said from behind his fan once more.
Kurosaki house, Karakura, The Living World.
Isshin Kurosaki finished dressing for his daughter's funeral, this was the third time he had to bury someone he loved and he hoped it would be the last. Looking in his mirror he finished straightening his tie. Isshin was wearing a white suit, white shirt and a white tie. He walked down the stairs to find Yuzu and see if she was ready to go to the shrine.
Yuzu was waiting in the living room, she was wearing a white dress with a white band in her hair.
"So are you ready to go Yuzu?" Isshin ask his only living relative.
"No, but I guess we better go anyway." she said her voice filled with pain and a deep sadness in her eyes. Isshin almost started crying again at the sight of Yuzu's tear filled eyes. Isshin looked up at the posters of all the loved ones he had lost on the living room wall, his wife Masaki the love of his life, to the right of it was the poster of his son Ichigo with his beloved Rukia who died together in a car crash, and now the poster of his precious daughter Karin was on the other side of her mother's. Yuzu looked at her father and placed her still tiny hands on his shoulder, he turned and hugged her.
"No more posters Yuzu ,ok." he whispered in her ear his voice breaking.
"Ok" was all she could say before her tears took over, causing her to sob lightly in her fathers arms.
Karakura cemetery shrine
Isshin and Yuzu arrived at the shrine before anyone else, Karin's casket was open and they went to see her body one last time before everyone else arrived for the ceremony. Karin's body was dressed in a white kimono closed with the right side over the left, her face was covered in light makeup that matched the pale completion she had in life. The sight of his beloved daughter's now empty body was almost more then Isshin could take, and he held onto Yuzu tighter then ever.
"She looks like she's just asleep daddy" Yuzu said as she brushed a few strands of raven colored hair from Karin's face. Isshin began sobbing again as he bent down and placed a tender kiss on Karin's forehead.
"Don't worry Daddy, I'm sure she'll be happy with Ichigo and Rukia, and of course Toshiro in the Soul Society." she said still tying to hold her tears back . Isshin nodded as they continued looking at Karin, trying to memorize what she looked like. They wanted to remember her as she was, the sound of her voice, how she would come home a complete mess and happy as can be after winning a game, but most of all they wanted to remember her rare and beautiful laugh, and the sparkle in her eyes when she talked about Toshiro. They were brought out of their reverie when a young woman with blond hair and green eyes came in and approached them, neither Isshin nor Yuzu recognized her.
"Look at you two all broken up over me." the young woman said.
"Karin!" Yuzu said in utter shock and disbelief.
"Its me, like my gigai?" she said to her dumbfounded twin, the amusement in her eyes died away as both Yuzu and her father grabbed her in a tight hug both started sobbing.
"I can't believe its you." Yuzu said between sobs. Karin just held her twin and let her cry on her shoulder. Deep down Karin was grateful that Urahara was able to make her a gigai that looked nothing like her, this way she can spend some time with her family at home after her funeral is over. Ichigo walked in with Rukia, both were in gigai that made them unrecognizable. Ichigo's gigai had brown hair and green eyes, and was taller then Ichigo by a few inches. Rukia's new gigai had red hair and brown eyes but was still petite. All three of them were wearing black clothing in keeping with modern funeral customs, and provided a sharp contrast to the traditional white funeral clothing that Isshin and Yuzu were wearing.
"Hey dad." Ichigo said as he walked up to his dad and sister.
"Ichigo!" Yuzu almost squealed as she hugged her older brother.
"Is this my lovely third daughter?" Isshin ask as Rukia walked up, she smiled as she was hugged by Yuzu and Isshin. Byakuya, Toshiro and Rangiku kept a respectful distance as the happy family sat talking and catching up.
The other mourners began arriving after an hour, Karin, Ichigo and Rukia all sat in the back and watched as the priest chanted the traditional sutra. Then a Kaimyo, or new name, was given to Karin so her soul could still rest if some one called her name. Her father and sister chose Ko-Tori( Young woman from the heart) as Karin's Kaimyo. The mourners offered prayers and incense, and Karin felt a little weird offering prayers for her own soul. After the ceremony was over her father and sister took one last look at her body, then it was taken to be cremated. Isshin and Yuzu left with the hearse to the crematorium, while everyone else visited with each other. Karin's casket was placed on the tray and Isshin and Yuzu watched as her body slid into the cremation chamber. Isshin was told that her cremation would take two hours, so they returned to the cemetery to round everyone up. Yuzu invited Ichigo, Rukia, Karin and Toshiro, as well as Byakuya and Rangiku over for lunch.
Kurosaki House, Karakura the Living World.
Lunch at the Kurosaki house was wild as always, Ichigo and Isshin were fighting with each other with Yuzu yelling at them to stop and eat their lunch. Karin was unaffected by their antics as always, and Rukia just sat and watched as Isshin kicked Ichigo in the face, before getting thrown into the wall.
"The more things change the more they stay the same" Yuzu said to her self.
"What was that Yuzu?" Rukia ask, her attention still on the fighting males.
"Oh nothing, its just nice to have everyone home." Yuzu said in an innocent tone.
"You let your guard down!" Isshin said in a mock warning tone as he tried and failed to kick Ichigo again. Ichigo dodged the kick and smashed his fist into Isshin's face.
"Crazy old goat beard, even after I'm dead he still tries that shit." Ichigo said causing first Karin, then Rukia then Yuzu and finally everyone else to burst into laughter. Isshin ran to the poster of Masaki sobbing about how being dead has made Ichigo so mean. To Yuzu it was just like old times, for just a little while she could forget everything that happened and just enjoy her family. Karin was happy to be eating Yuzu's cooking again she had been living on prison food for three years, it was so bad she could barely eat enough of it to stay alive. Karin lost so much weight in prison that she could count her ribs, and all of her old cloths were too big now.
Soon enough it was time to head back to the cemetery and finish the rituals, but before they left Yuzu wanted to clean up after lunch. Ichigo and Rukia did the dishes while Karin helped Yuzu put away the food and clean the table. Isshin ask Byakuya and Toshiro to join him in his office, as the three men entered Isshin motioned for them to sit.
"I need to ask both of you something" Isshin said becoming very serious, both men nodded and Isshin sat before speaking.
"I want to know how Karin is adjusting to life in the Soul Society." he said in a worried tone.
"She seems to be adjusting well, though only time will tell if she will be truly happy in the Soul Society" Byakuya said his face impassive as always.
"She's doing ok, but I am concerned I don't think she's come to terms with her death yet. I think she needs time to truly get past her death, also, she misses you and her sister a great deal and that makes things harder for her" Toshiro said, his tone was as concerned as Isshin's. The three men stood and as they were about to leave Isshin ask Toshiro to stay for a moment.
"So are you still planning on asking Karin to be your wife?" Isshin said after the door was closed.
"I was planning on waiting until she had more time to adjust to her new life, but yes I am planning on proposing to her." Toshiro said, his face was a cold mask but his eyes were warm and showed the depth of his love for her.
"Good, you still have my blessing." Isshin said.
"Oh and one more thing, take good care of her and make her happy." Isshin said as Toshiro was about to walk out. Isshin sat alone in his office thinking about the future. Karin Hitsugaya has a nice ring to it. he thought to himself before leaving his office to round everyone up and head back to the cemetery.
They arrived back at the cemetery and found that Karin's ashes were ready to be placed in her grave. Isshin and Yuzu took the ritual chopsticks and began placing her ashes and bones in the urn, as the rest offered prayers for her soul. Isshin and Yuzu started by placing the bones of Karin's feet in the urn first, and as they moved their way up to the fragments of her skull Isshin thought about the last time he had to do this.
Flash Back, one year ago.
Ichigo and Rukia had been killed in a car crash two days before, along with five of their friends. Isshin and Yuzu now sat placing their cremated remains in a single urn as they had requested. Rukia had no relatives in the living world, so Isshin and Yuzu would fill the role of family for the girl they both loved so much by placing the remains of her gigai in an urn in keeping with Japanese custom. Isshin liked the idea of mixing Ichigo and Rukia's ashes in the same urn, he felt it was fitting that their mortal remains would be together forever just like their souls. Isshin looked over to see Ichigo and Rukia watching as he and Yuzu placed their urn in their shared grave, they were both in spirit form and they were holding hands. Ichigo and Rukia walked up to his father and sister.
"Hi dad." Ichigo said, as Rukia hugged both Isshin and Yuzu.
" I have some news." he continued.
"You and Rukia are getting married and giving me grandbabies?" Isshin said in a hopeful tone.
"No you old pervert! I was offered the captain's position of the Third Division." Ichigo said in an irritated tone, causing both Rukia and Yuzu to start giggling.
"Congratulations my son!" Isshin said a large grin on his face.
"I wish Karin could be here." Ichigo said.
"They don't let prisoners on death row out to attend a relative's funeral." Yuzu said in a sad and bitter tone. Isshin became serious and took Ichigo aside.
"Ichigo, they haven't given her an execution date yet, but Hiro doesn't think she has more then a year." Isshin said his voice filled with urgency. Ichigo look as if he had been punch in the guts.
"I thought it could take up to ten years before they execute someone" Ichigo said suddenly filling sick and unsteady.
"Normally it can take a many years, but after her first appeal was denied she told Hiro not to bother with anymore. She's been on death row for over two years, its only a matter of time before they execute her. Now listen to me Ichigo, after she's executed I want you and Rukia to look after her in the Soul Society, please Ichigo." Isshin finished as Ichigo took in what his father was telling him, his little sister was going to be executed in a year or less and that he needs to take care of her after she's dead.
"Wait dad why did Karin tell her lawyer to not to appeal her case?" Ichigo ask in disbelief.
"Look son, at best she would face life in prison if her death sentence is commuted, she doesn't want to spend the next sixty years in prison and enter the Soul Society an old woman. Karin would rather die soon so she can be young when she goes to the Soul Society, that way she can become a Soul Reaper sooner rather then later." Isshin said and Ichigo knew his dad excepted Karin's reasons, he didn't like it but he accepted it, so as painful as it was Ichigo would except her decision too.
"Ok dad I swear I'll look after her when she gets to the Soul Society." Ichigo said his voice full of conviction.
Karakura Cemetery, present time.
Isshin and Yuzu finished placing Karin's remains in the urn, they lifted it together and placed it in her grave. Isshin looked at the inscription on the grave marker, it read
Karin Kurosaki, Beloved daughter and sister she will always be in our hearts.
Isshin and Yuzu walked over to their visitors from the Soul Society, and they all got ready to leave for the Kurosaki house. Karin told everyone that she needed to be alone for a moment and that she would catch up before they left for home. She walked to her mother's grave and sat down.
"Hi mom, its bit awhile hasn't it?" she started.
"I'm sorry I haven't visited you in so long, but I was in prison. Can you believe I was there for three years before they executed me, I was executed because of what I did to the guy that hurt Yuzu, but I don't regret protecting her even thought I had to die to do it." She hugged her knees to her chest, as she continued. "Being executed was really painful, I couldn't breath, I couldn't move, and I thought my head was going to explode. You know if Toshiro hadn't been there for me I don't think I would have made it, he really is amazing I love him so much." she said as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Karin heard a small noise, she looked behind her and saw Toshiro walking up. Karin stood and was about to ask why he was there, but before she could say anything he walked up and wrapped his arms around her tiny frame. Karin was shocked at first, but then she felt the pain and sadness of the past three years flood through her. Karin let her tears fall, and as he held her she let it all out. Toshiro held her tightly as her body was racked with uncontrolled sobs, he rubbed his hand up and down her back soothingly.
"Its ok, let it all out. Don't hold anything back." he whispered in her ear. After about ten minutes she looked up at him with red puffy eyes and thanked him for being there when she needed him. They sat in front in front of the graves and he held her until she fell asleep. He looked at the grave that held her brother and Rukia, he read the inscription on the marker.
Ichigo Kurosaki and his beloved Rukia Kuchiki, may the love they shared in this life endure in the next.
Toshiro had no doubt that Ichigo and Rukia will still be together after a thousand years, some bonds were just unbreakable. He looked down at Karin, she looked so different in this gigai but he still loved her more then he could ever hope to express. Maybe our bond is unbreakable too he thought as he reached down and gently scooped up the his sleeping girlfriend. Toshiro carried her through the grave yard and placed her in Isshin's car, he held her on the way back to the Kurosaki house. When they arrived he carried her to the living room and carefully placed her on the couch, he looked at her sleeping form before he gently woke her. Karin looked at him with sleepy eyes, but sat up when she realized it was only seven in the evening. Yuzu went and made diner for everyone and after it was over Byakuya, and Rangiku said their goodbyes and left for Urahara's shop so they could return to the Soul Society. Ichigo, Rukia, and Karin went to Urahara's as well and retrieved normal gigais, they were planning to stay the night at the Kurosaki's and the gigais they were using were only good for a few hours before they would lose their connection to them. After they returned Isshin suggested a movie, so Yuzu went and made some snacks while everyone else went and put their pajamas on. After Yuzu came back down from putting her pajamas on Isshin put on the movie. Rukia leaned on Ichigo and he wrapped his arms around her, while Karin sat in Toshiro's lap as he held her. The movie was suspenseful and during tense parts of it Rukia or Yuzu would let out a little yelp, Toshiro kept hearing a noise he couldn't identify at first he thought it was Yuzu or Rukia. After a few times he noticed that Karin was the source of the sound, she had fallen asleep and was whimpering in her sleep. Toshiro tried comforting her by gently rubbing her back, and whispering comforting words in her ear. This seemed to work, so after she calmed down he picked her up and carried her to her old bed in the room she and Yuzu had shared. He was surprised to find that her side of the room had not been changed, so placed her in bed then lay down beside her. He pulled the covers over both of them, her hands were on his chest and one of his arms around her shoulders while his other arm was under her and around her waist. He felt her snuggle closer and he smiled.
"I love you Karin Kurosaki." he said before he let sleep take him.