He should have pressed for more, he should have insisted to talk with Ichigo about their mutual feelings. Now he was in Seireitei, literally a world away from the person he loved and said person was alive and well and didn't have an ounce of Reiatsu left. Rose looked outside the window, the sun was setting just like on the day they kissed. He remembered Ichigos smile, his soft lips, the twinkle in his eyes as they confessed their love at the same time. It had been almost one year now. One year and he had pleaded and begged them to let him go to the world of the living to speak to Ichigo. But all contact was forbidden, the Vizards as it stood were balancing on a thin rope. Not everybody was happy that they had been reinstalled as Captains and anything out of line or order could send all of them straight into the Maggots nest. Rose couldn't endanger his friends like that, but he had to clear up everything with Ichigo. Talks of giving Ichigo back his powers had been shot down immediately. The Soutaichou had no intention of helping Ichigo, according to him everything had worked out splendidly and Kurosaki Ichigo could now lead a normal life like any other human.
Rose knew his love for the organette was by no means something fleeting. He had never fallen this hard or fast for someone and he knew he would keep on loving him even without seeing him or speaking to him or having the simply pleasure of sharing a smile. There was no helping it. Ichigo would move on. He was alive, he would age, he would marry, he would have a family and the memory of his time with Rose would fade to the back of his mind. A spear of pain shot through Roses heart at the thought, but there was nothing he could do. He kept on living with that thought for five years.
Ichigo was a constant in his head, every song he played, every smile he gave, every sunset he watched, Ichigo was on his mind. Five years and he hadn't seen him, he didn't know where he was or what he was doing. And then it had happened. A whisper among two members of division four. "-rosaki Ichigo. Yes, they say he became a violinist of all things." Was all Rose had heard. A violinist, his Ichigo. Twenty years old and a violinist. He had to hear it. So, he contacted the only person that could travel through Seireitei completely undetected.
"And why should I do that?" A very taken aback Yoruichi Shihoin asked Rose in complete surprise. "To help an old friend?" Rose said, voice hesitant. Yoruichi pulled face and scratched her cheek. "Well, I guess I could take you to the world of the living. But is there any reason you want to go now of all times? It's been five years already…" Rose looked down, oh he had a reason alright. He couldn't stand another day without seeing Ichigo. Knowing he had become a violinist, he had to hear him play at least once. "Not really…" He said, trailing of a little. Yoruichi huffed in frustration. "Alright, keep your dirty little secret. But you own me for this, clear?" She asked him. Rose nodded eagerly.
The next thing he knew they were speeding through Seireitei. A Soul Gate opened in front of them, seemingly out of nowhere. Yoruichi ushered him through after she pressed a small black ball into his hand. "Portable Gigai. Be back before midnight. I'll keep the gate open for you." Was all she said before making a shooing motion and sending him on his way. He rushed through, coming to a skipping halt as he landed far over Karakura town, overlooking the familiar scenery. He landed in a small alley and inflated his gigai. It was wearing a simple pair of black trousers and a light blue button-down shirt. Shrugging he slipped into his Gigai and felxed his hands to get used to the feeling. He quickly jogged down the street. There was only one person that could help him now. Inoue Orihime. She knew him, and she would surely have an idea where Ichigo was. Concentrating he made out her Reiatsu.
He took in the simple flat in fornt of him and knocked on the door three times after taking a deep breath. "Coming." A voice called from the inside. "Yes, how can I…" Her voice trailed off in surprise as she took in Roses form. "Rose-san. What-What are you doing here?" She asked, he eyes had widened almost comically in surprise. Rose took in the changes in her. Her hair was longer, she was wearing an apron and flour was covering her hands.
"Hello Inoue-san." He greeted he with a friendly smile. "I was actually hoping you could tell me the whereabouts of Ichigo-kun." He told her, his smile never wavering. Inoue blinked a few times and smiled kindly. "Ichigo lives in Tokyo now." She told him. Rose looked at her surprised. "Yes, I know, quite the shock isn't it? He became a violinist you see! And he's like super famous now. Normally he wouldn't be here right now but Yuzu-chan graduated a few days ago. If you're lucky he's still staying at the hotel. It's the really big one near the station." She told him, smiling and gesturing in her typical manner. Rose chuckled a little at her antics. "Thank you, Inoue-san. You really helped me." He nodded at her and was about to leave. "Ahh, Rose-san!" He heard her voice call. She stood a little outside of the door, hands wringing in front of her. "He waited." She finally said, turning around she hurried back into the house and shut the door behind her. Leaving Rose to stare in shock at the closed door, trying to process the words just spoken to him.
Breaking into a run he sped through the streets, his feet carrying him and clapping like thunder on the concrete beneath him. He quickly composed himself and stepped into the hotel. Putting on his most charming smile he walked towards the receptionist. "Hello, mademoiselle." He told her, he saw the blush creeping over her face as she was greeted in this fashion. "G-Good day, sir. How can I help you?" She asked, trying to maintain professional while her face turned redder. He was well aware of the many stares and chatter of the female staff as they took in the form of the slightly exotic looking gentleman with the charming smile. "Ahh, you see I was told an old friend would stay here for the night. And I was hoping to greet him before our ways part again." He told her, leaning closer. "It would help me a lot, beautiful mademoiselle, if you could tell me in which room he is staying. I want to surprise him, you see." At that he flashed her another smile and winked. He clearly wasn't above a little flirting if it got him what he wanted. "I-I see. Yes, of course. The name of the person?" She asked him, turning redder and fumbling with the keyboard in front of her. "Kurosaki Ichigo." He told her with a smile. "Ah- Kurosaki-sama is staying in room number 105." She told him, not even bothering with the keyboard or computer. He raised an eyebrow at her knowledge but didn't say anything about it. "I see, thank you very much." With that he swooped down, took ahold of her hand and kissed the back of it with a bow. She looked like she was about to pass out.
Hurrying away he quickly got into an elevator to the first floor. He sprinted down the corridor the second the door opened. With a pounding heart he stopped in front of door number 105. He raised his hand and was about to knock when he heard the faint sounds of a violin being played. He stopped and listened closely as the music became louder. A sad heart wrenching melody. Roses breathing stopped as he stood there for several minutes and let the music wash over him, finally it stopped. Taking another breath, he knocked. Soft footsteps drew closer before the door was opened. There stood Ichigo. His hair was long, brushing past his shoulders and was kept in a messy side braid, falling over his shoulder. He was wearing a pair of black trousers and a white button-down shirt; his feet were bare. He had become even more beautiful. His jaw stood out strongly, his cheeks bones were pointed, a poised nose and a pair of full rose-colored lips.
Rose was pulled out of his staring by a voice. "Rose!" And the next thing he knew he had an armful of Ex-Shinigami holding him close. "Ichigo…" He whispered back.