Karin Kurosaki never was one to sit around and let others do all the work. But she had no choice as she watched Ichigo and the others leave for the war.

"Stay." She whispered to one of them. But he only gave her one of his rare smiles that she loved so much. With one last kiss on the forehead he disappeared with all the others.

The winter season was long that year although it wasn't quite winter. The weather was nice and snow never touched the ground that year. Karin looked out her window everyday that season but no one ever came. The winter that never was trickled to an end and spring began to sprout. And with the coming of spring the war ended.

Just like that all the people she loved and cared about were back in her life. Except him. She didn't see his bright locks or his eternally frowning face; Just Ichigo's anger, Matsumoto's tears, Rukia's sorrow.

'But it doesn't matter.' She thought as she ran, half blinded by tears, to their special place.

'Nothing will bring him back.'

Toshiro Hitsugaya had died and Karin Kurosaki's heart had shattered.