Izaya opened his slowly, there was light coming in from the gap in the curtains of his bedroom. He turned to the window and then followed the other occupant in the room with his eyes as they walked around to stand beside the bed. Izaya gave a tired smile, not quite having the energy to sit up to give a proper greeting. But that was normal now, his strength was wavering almost everyday; and he found that every time he awoke in the morning, it seemed more of a struggle.

Today was proof of that, he was well aware of how weak he felt, maybe this was going to be the last time he saw those curtains open, the other occupant that stood beside him... Izaya still didn't understand why she was here, why she had been here for the last three or four weeks? It wasn't her duty to care for him. However, he was grateful regardless, because if it wasn't for her he might have- Izaya didn't want to think about withering away like a dying flower alone, because he wasn't alone, at least not now. "You don't have to stay with me..." he managed to say as she sat on the edge of the bed. He realised, after her first week she had stayed, that she was going to remain here until the end. Why? He didn't know. The one she loved was gone, all of their friends had passed on overtime in the last fifteen or so years...

A deep pain filled his heart before he suppressed his emotions, he'd learned to live with it.

[I made a promise] came the reply from the phone that the Dullahan was holding.

Izaya gave a light chuckle "I don't think he expected you to quite literally take it seriously...when he asked you to take care of me"

Celty hunched her shoulders and then tapped on her screen; how she still had the same phone that Shinra gave her after all this time he'd never know. [Im staying!] [You're the only family I have left]

She had a point, didn't she? But just like it hadn't been fair on him, it wasn't fair on her either, to watch those around you pass on while you remained living. It was worse for her he supposed, since she would never die of old age or...Izaya bit his lip, grabbing a fistful of the bed sheet.

[Whats wrong?]

Izaya relaxed and smiled "You know. It's good in a way...that Shizu-chan left before me"

She tilted her helmet [We don't have to talk about that]

Izaya shook his head "It's ok. I think, it was better that way. You know, I should have been dead years ago...so many times. If I had gone first, he might not have believed it" he chuckled, a light joke to make the pain of loss more tolerable.

[I know what you mean. You did have a habit of surviving a great deal back then] [even now. I don't know how you do it] [Its not really natural, is it? To outlive your child]

Izaya choked back tears and shook his head "No. it's not. but I made a promise too. I promised Shizu-chan that I wouldn't give up, no matter what"

Tora had passed away 10 years ago on a boating accident, he was 50. Izaya and Shizuo were informed by their son's wife; he had gone fishing and his boat tipped over in a storm, he was recovered by a coastguard. That was the last time they heard from her.

A year later, Shizuo was diagnosed with lung cancer, even though he'd quit smoking a long time ago, and he passed away six months after the diagnosis. Between the loss of their youngest and the news of the illness, along with his age; Shizuo refused treatment and died peacefully at home with Izaya.

Their daughter Mai, aged 70, now lived in Florida with her husband. Neither of the children had kids.

"Would you do me a favour?" Izaya asked

[Anything]

"In the closest, at the very back, there's a wooden box. Would you get it for me"

Celty nodded and opened up the closest, she bent down and retrieved the antique looking box from underneath the clothing and made her way back to the bed. With a little effort, Izaya pushed himself to a sitting position. Celty helped pull his pillows up so that he'd have more comfort. Izaya opened the box and little by little, he revealed what was inside.

Shizuo's rings

Their marriage certificate, along with their partnership document

There were a few tickets that had been kept from times they had seen shows at the theatre.

Izaya's eyes became misty when he pulled out their photo album, the one his sisters had gotten him for Christmas one year. Celty scooted up on the bed so that she could look through it with him. There was a sense of dread that filled her, and she had this feeling that Izaya knew it was his time. When a picture came of them all with Celty and Shinra on New Years, she portrayed a sad aura and her hand came over to graze the photo with her fingertips. Izaya's hand then covered hers. "Will you leave, when I've gone?"

Celty looked at him, the thought had crossed her mind. [I don't know]

Izaya then closed the album and took out another smaller album. It was hard to imagine himself as being that youthful now, staring at the picture of him and Shizuo under the archway of their wedding day. "You know. I can't complain. I'm ninety four years old. I've had a very long and fulfilling life in all honesty. I raised a family and spent most of my life with the one I fell in love with. I did and saw things no one could dream of. My best friends were some of the most interesting people. How many people can say they were friends with a Dullahan, or that their husband was considered the strongest in the entire city, this one and Ikebukuro. I'm leaving this world with all my faculties, and thanks to those around me, I die with no regrets because I atoned"

Celty was overwhelmed by his words, leave it to Izaya to cause this kind of emotional goodbye. [You are a remarkable man Izaya. I'm very happy I knew you]

Izaya looked at her and squeezed her hand "Me too" he then pulled out an envelope and tore the edging off and revealed a letter. "Before Shizu-chan died, he left me this letter. Told me not to open it until after he'd gone. But...I wanted to wait longer, I wanted this to be the last thing I read..."

Celty lightly clenched her fists. She'd said goodbye to so many people in her life. But... a determination fell upon her and she knew; Izaya was going to be the last one. She lay a hand on his shoulder and urged him to read it. If the letter was the last thing he wanted to read, then she wasn't going to speak through her phone.

Izaya read the letter, and with each sentence he told, emotion overcame him, and if Celty noticed him slowing down she didn't let on.

Celty startled when the paper in Izaya's hands fell on his lap, she turned slowly to look at him, his eyes were closed, and his body was lax. Her hand reached over to stroke his face, and she noticed the smile that graced his expression. Izaya, I'll miss you

She stood up and raised her hands, his body became engulfed in shadow, and then she cradled him in her arms.

...

Celty stood in front of a black headstone, the writing on the left side with Shizuo Heiwajima engraved. The stone now had adjoined inscription on the right side, where his husband lay to rest with him. Izaya Heiwajima.

Mai stood beside her with tears in her eyes, sporting an umbrella as the light rain came down over them "Love you Iz-nii" she said "I know Dad is waiting for you" Silence fell over them for a few moments until Mai let out a deep sad sigh. "You're leaving, aren't you?"

Celty stiffened and inclined her helmet up toward the sky, she then produced her phone and typed. [It's time]

Mai smiled and nodded "I understand"

[I made a promise nine years ago to take care of Izaya after your Dad died. Now that they're both gone….I feel like it's the right time to leave]

"Thank you Celty. You've been such a wonderful friend. You were always there for both of them, especially when I couldn't be"

[They were proud of you. they knew you loved them] They wanted you to live your life, never wanted you to constantly worry about them]

Mai nodded "I know. I miss them so much. But they're together now" She smiled "You know. Iz-nii always believed they would meet again someday"

[Do you believe that?]

"I do. They're destined to be together, no matter what"

Celty turned and lay a hand on Mai's shoulder and then gave her a tight hug. [I'll miss you. I'll never forget my life here]

Mai wiped her eyes "I'll never forget you either" The Dullahan's whole attire changed into the outfit she had long since forgotten about. The shadow seeped from her armour and the black horse came galloping up to her side. A young girl's head now lay tucked within her arm. Black shadow burst forth into the sky, and Mai watched as Celty and shooter disappeared from her life. Mai smiled and then turned her attention back to the head stone. "I love you both. I hope you'll find each other again soon"

…

A young male, wearing a light blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up, black khaki's and white sneakers; stepped onto the campus. The grass neatly cut, and a long pathway lead up to the large building. He sighed, both hands in his pockets as the wind blew his light brown hair. He pulled out his wallet and slid out his key card, which had his ID number, room number and his picture. "This is it" he muttered to himself, placing his wallet back in his pocket. As he lifted his head up to the campus building, he caught sight of someone staring at him from the corner of his eye. A girl around his age, dressed in black tight jeans, a red crop top that showed off her flat stomach, and a long black coat. She was stood against the large water fountain that was situated in the middle of the grounds. "Weird" he suddenly couldn't shake the feeling that he knew her, but he was very sure he'd never seen her before.

Walking toward the fountain with his luggage in tow, he passed by her, having no intention to make conversation. He promised his parents, that his time at this university, was going to be well spent, and that meant his studies came first. Eyes were still on him, following him, and he ignored the feeling.

The girl tucked black strands behind her ear, she smiled and checked her key card.

"Checking out the guys already Aoi?" another girl said as she stepped beside her.

Aoi turned with a dry laugh and said "Only one Himari. Since when do I scout for guys anyway?"

"Relax. It was a joke. I know you're all hell bent on that soul mate stuff"

Aoi rolled her eyes "I don't expect you to understand"

Himari turned to the building where the male in question had disappeared into. "So~ is he 'the one'"

Aoi shoved her "Shut the hell up. How should I know? I've never seen him before"

Himari giggled "But according to you, that doesn't matter"

Aoi then stared at the building, a smile crossed her face. "You know, I did feel like I knew him"

Himari's eyes widened "Really?"

Aoi nodded

…

The brunet wrote his name on a form and produced his ID card, showing it to the woman behind a marble looking desk. "Welcome to the university of Tokyo. Please use the map on the wall to help you locate your dorm" she told him. He raised an eyebrow and sidestepped to allow someone else to approach the desk. He stared up at the map, it looked like a maze. There were four corners, each section contained several dorms with set numbers.

He glanced down at his ID and then looked back up at the map. "Screw it. I'll find it without the stupid map. Can't be that hard" a laugh sounded beside him, he turned to find another male, short blond hair wearing a black hoodie and white khaki's.

"What's your room number?"

"It says 12AB. I can't even find that on the map"

The other male smiled and pointed to the second corner section. "This is the A section, and just below it, this line right here. is AB, kind of like a side section"

"Oh. Thanks"

"Looks like you and me are sharing a dorm. I'm 12AB too" the blond male held his hand out "I'm Levi Masaru"

The brunet gave a small smile and shook Levi's hand "Sora Yumata"

"Nice to meet you. I gotta go check in with my coach. You wanna come with?"

Sora shook his head. "Nah. I can find the dorm myself now, thanks. meet you there"

Levi shrugged "All right. catch you later"

Levi left Sora alone to make his way back outside, a hand grabbed his arm, he turned to find a girl. "Can I help you?"

Aoi gave a smirk "I have a proposition for you"

….

Sora brought his ID card out and looked at the numbering that was engraved on the door in front of him. 12AB. "I suppose this is it" he muttered, he placed the card on top of the scanner that was attached to the door frame. It bleeped green and he pushed open the door, dragging his suitcase with him. A short grunt of surprise slipped from his mouth, his eyes grew wide as the girl from the fountain turned to him, clearly in the middle of unpacking her case into the assigned draws. "Excuse me, what are you doing in here?"

Aoi tilted her head and then sat herself on the bed farthest to the right. "This is my dorm"

Sora frowned a little, he checked his card once again before saying "No. this is my dorm"

"Well I would assume so. Since your key card worked and all"

Sora snorted "That's not what I meant"

"Then what did you mean?"

"I- well, I was under the impression that a male was my roommate"

Aoi stood up and stretched "This university has mixed gender dorms. It is the twenty second century after all"

Sora sighed in annoyance "That's not what I meant either!"

"Whatever. I'm your roommate, must have been a mix up"

Sora shook his head and decided to drop the matter, there was nothing he could do about it now. he dragged his suitcase toward the other bed and flopped down on it, placing his key card on the night stand. Aoi skipped over and sat on the edge of the bed; Sora glanced over at her. "What?"

Aoi smirked "Nothing" she then picked up his ID "So. What are you studying here, Sora-chan"

Sora sat up on his elbows and then snatched the card back "If you must know-"

"I must"

Sora huffed "If you must know, Physiology"

Aoi's eyes roamed over him and he suddenly became embarrassed "You don't look the sports type. But looks can be deceiving I suppose"

Sora tried hard not to blush, he sat up and leaned against the head board. "So what about you?"

Aoi stood up with a smirk "Psychology"

Sora gave a smirk of his own "I can see that. matches your confidence"

Aoi raised an eyebrow "Got me figured out already?"

Sora stood up and leaned forward "Confident. Holds herself in quite high regard. Arrogant"

Aoi frowned and then raised her hand to slap him, he grasped her wrist lightly. Aoi then smirked "I think you left out beautiful"

Sora rolled his eyes "Is that so"

"Quite" Sora let go of her wrist with a sudden start. His eyes darted to the side and then back to hers, a strange feeling came over him. "Did my beauty overwhelm you that much?"

Sora shook his head, but he couldn't shake the feeling. He knew this girl from somewhere, he was sure of it. "I'm going to get some fresh air"

Aoi shrugged and watched him as he made his way to the door "Do you believe in reincarnation, Sora-chan?" Sora froze and turned to her, his hand on the door handle, he blinked and then quickly left the room. She placed her hand over her chest, there was no doubt in her mind now. It's him, it has to be

By the time Sora got back from his walk around the campus, Aoi wasn't in the room. His thoughts had become muddled, and he was now more confused then when he left. He sighed and flopped across his bed, his head turned to the other side, to the unoccupied bed. Sora frowned in thought, he knew her from somewhere, but he had no idea where.

...

A raven haired male turned to him with a smirk, leaning in and planting a delicate kiss on his lips. Long fingers wrapped around his wrist to pull him forward. "Shizu-chan"

Sora woke with a start. It wasn't uncommon, for him to have such weird dreams, ones where he knew neither of the people in them. Yet...he got this feeling that he did. There was a distinction between them, a pull toward the raven and a sense of familiarisation with the other, as though he were him. He believed in reincarnation, ever since he was a boy, and that belief only got stronger when he had his first dream at fifteen. He solely believed that he was experiencing someone else's memories. It sounded crazy when he thought about it, but at the same time it didn't.

He'd been here a week and his dreams had gotten stronger since he arrived. The more he interacted with Aoi-his somewhat irritating roommate- the more his beliefs were likely becoming true. He couldn't describe it, but when she asked him that question on his first day here, there was no way that was a coincidence. He fucking knew her, and he wasn't above admitting that there was a certain quality in her that he was attracted to.

Sora glanced over at the other bed, she was asleep, at least he figured she was, since it was still very dark in the room. A passing thought crossed his mind; in his dreams, he could never place the name that belonged to the black haired male. Yet- he'd always hear the other, the one to whom might be a figment of his past self. Shizu-chan

Sora frowned, Aoi had been calling him Sora-chan since they met, at first it annoyed him, it sounded too cute a word he really didn't like being associated with himself. He wasn't sure why he didn't mind it now, but again, that couldn't just be a coincidence, right?

Sora closed his eyes, he was still tired, and he figured he could get a few more hours sleep. He didn't like where his thoughts were heading. Aoi could not be linked to the raven male in his dreams, that just wasn't possible! Well, it was, if you believed in that, but...to be presented with the sudden possibility...that was a scary thought, and an exciting one at the same time.

Their fingers linked together, swaying against one another, grinding their bodies as they shared a passionate kiss. "I love you. Izaya"

Sora startled awake again, this time, the room was lighter, at least it was an indication that the sun was rising. He sat up with a gasp, head spinning as he gathered his thoughts. "Can't be" all his life he felt different, like he was supposed to be part of someone else, dreaming of their memories... now, here he was, sharing a dorm with another individual who may or may not be the other half of those memories.

Sora licked his lips and a shudder ran down his spine. The name sounded strange and yet, so familiar, but he'd never heard it before until now. He glanced over at the bed to find it empty. His phone lit up suddenly and he reached over to grab it off his nightstand. :Meet me on the roof. Aoi xx:

Ok, so he was pretty sure he hadn't yet given her his number. But he didn't care about that right now; he jumped out of bed and pulled on his grey hoodie from yesterday, slid on his sneakers, grabbed his key card and quickly left the room.

Sora stepped through the door to the roof of the campus building. There she was, dressed in her usual black jeans and red crop top. The sun was slowly beginning to rise, creating a ray of different colours across the sky. She turned to him and his heart skipped, everything about her was familiar, her personality, her looks, her smirk and Sora remembered how the raven-Izaya, had adorned that same smirk.

Aoi leaned against the metal fence, thumbs hooked inside her pockets. "You never answered my question you know"

Sora blinked at the realisation she had spoken "What?"

"My question. The first day we met. I asked you if you believed in reincarnation"

How could he forget? "Do you?"

"Yes" Aoi then started to approach him "I'm living proof" Sora had no idea what that meant, but he was starting to think his theories were right. Aoi stopped in front of him and Sora gulped. "It's you. Tell me that it's you"

Sora opened his mouth to speak but he couldn't, Aoi tiptoed and leaned forward, his eyes watched her as she pressed her lips to his own. A warmth spread throughout his entire body, he felt his mind go blank for a moment and then images flashed through it, he became overwhelmed and sought out Aoi's support. He held onto her as he deepened the kiss, causing her to gasp; was she experiencing the same thing?

By the time they pulled away, everything became clearer, and for the first time since they met, he knew her. Knew him. "Iz-" a finger pressed against his lips.

Aoi smirked at him "We shouldn't jinx it. I don't really know how it works, but we should treat our past names as taboo, Sora-chan"

Sora's gripped tightened ever so slightly on his- on her arms. "I can't believe it- it's really you..."

Aoi wrapped her arms around his neck. "I knew it was you the first moment I saw you. I just had to wait to be certain. You weren't quite there yet"

"This is- this is unreal...I mean, it's you"

Aoi giggled "Didn't I tell you?" Aoi kissed him again "We'll always come back to each other"

Sora huffed a laugh "I will admit. I kind of had a little doubt"

"That might be why it took you longer to realise"

"I'm sorry for that"

Aoi shook her head "It doesn't matter. You got there"

Sora then reached up and threaded his fingers through her black strands. "This is new" his eyes roamed down and Aoi poked him in the chest.

"Oi. Eyes up"

Sora chuckled "What's a female version of the flea like hm?"

Aoi clicked her tongue "Shut up. It's not like I had any kind of decision in my reincarnation"

"I vaguely remember being attracted only to males" Sora pulled her closer "However, I'm very attracted to you, gender doesn't matter"

Aoi huffed a laugh and jumped into his arms, hooking her legs around his waist. "Good" she leaned down and kissed him deeply.

"I'll always come back to you"

"Because you'll always be mine"

"No matter what life we find ourselves in"

"Forever and always"

"I love you"

"I love you too, Sora-chan"

To Izaya,

If you're reading this, I guess that means I'm gone. Or I'm in the next room because you're too impatient and can't follow a simple request.

I can't possibly describe how much you mean to me, and how grateful I am to you for putting up with me all this time, heh.

My life with you has been amazing and I can't tell you enough just how much you made me happy. We went through so much together and regardless of how bad it got, I loved every waking minute of it.

It's selfish, but please don't be sad when I leave you, carry on, and don't ever give up.

I love you so much, there's nothing in my life that I regret, you brought so much more to my existence then you will ever know. I would not have come this far without you, you understood me in a way no one else did.

Thank you for everything, for our children, for our life together, for being you and for loving me.

I know that we'll be together again soon, because you're hardly ever wrong.

I love you Izaya.

Until we meet again

Love

Shizu-chan