It took Shinji a few days to gather the courage he needed to confront Rose. He took a deep breath as he stood outside of his sleeping quarters door. Knocking softly, he waited a few seconds, he could hear the soft tapping of feet on the floor before the door was opened. Rose looked at him in surprise. "Shinji? What's the matter?" He asked him, confusion evident in his voice. Shinji set his jaw straighter. "I know." This apparently did not help Rose at all, as he simply raised his eyebrows in question. "About you and Ichigo." Shinji elaborated, he watched as Roses face grew paler. He quickly stepped aside and motioned for Shinji to come in.
With measured steps Shinji walked inside and sat down at a small table to his right. Rose still stood with his back towards him at the door, he slowly turned around and let himself fall gracelessly into the seat opposite him, eyes watching Shinji wearily. "You have to stop." Shinji told him firmly. Rose looked down at the table, not meeting his eyes. "You're ruining his whole life like this. He's alive Rose. He can't spend his years chasing behind a dead man." Shinji knew his words were cruel, but it was the truth and it had to be spoken. Rose had tilted his head downwards, his eyes hidden behind shadows. "…Is that all?" He asked, voice sounding strained.
Shinji gritted his teeth in anger. "All? All?! Rose, what the hell have you been doing? From what I can see you freaking ruined the past five years of his life!" Shinji was looking at him, positively seething. Roses head snapped up. "Don't you think I fucking know that?!" He yelled back. Shinji looked taken aback by his sudden outburst. "Don't you think I lie away every damn night thinking exactly that? Don't you think I know exactly how freaking painful this is for him? Don't make me laugh Shinji! I. know. exactly. what Ichigo is going through. Because this is no freaking one-way ticket, I fell the exact same! Do you think it's fun waiting for the person you fucking love to die?!" At the last sentence he had slammed his hands on the table, glaring at Shinji with tear filled eyes.
Shinji looked at him and exhaled slowly, his previous fight and anger leaving him when he realized his friends pain. "I'm sorry." He told him, looking into his eyes. "But you have to end this Rose." He continued softly. "This will just continue to hurt both of you. Wouldn't it be better to set him free and…heal with time?" He asked, voice still soft, understanding. Rose looked down, face clouded in sorrow. He gritted his teeth. "I know." He said, voice full of tears. "I know." He whispered again. Shinji took in his friends form with pity. "When is the next time the two of you are supposed to meet?" Shinji asked him.
Rose looked up, eyes tired and weary. "In two months." He said, running a hand through his hair. "End it then." Shinji said, voice hard and demanding but eyes gentle as he looked at Rose. Rose looked at the table and nodded once. Shinji exhaled in a sigh. "I will accompany you." He announced then. Rose frowned at this. "I don't think it's a good idea if you are present for such a personal conversation." Rose told him, voice defiant. Shinji nodded. "I won't be present there, I meant that I'll stay in my spirit form and linger around in the street or something." Shinji looked at him, his eyes growing grimmer.
"One hour. I'll give you that much time to say goodbye. If you're not back by then I'll get you." Rose nodded tersely. "Also, no trips to the world of the living." Shinji told him, voice unrelenting. Rose only nodded again, all fight long lost. His eyes held a pained acceptance. "I…need to be alone…" He said softly after Shinji had finished. Frowning but nodding Shinji got up and was about to step outside. "You know I'm not doing this to hurt you…or Ichigo. But leaving you like you are will only hurt you more in the long run." He told him, voice and eyes apologetic and begging Rose to understand that he only wanted his friends to be alright. Rose gave him a tired smile. "You're not the bad guy in this story Shinji. Don't worry…" Shinji gave him a half-hearted smile back and left.
As Shinji walked away from the third division barracks he sighed heavily. Leaning against one of the walls he buried his face in his hands for a few seconds. Doubt was making itself known in his mind. Was this the right course of action? Would Rose hate him? Would Ichigo hold a grudge? Would they understand why he pushed them to this? He sighed again. "Is everything alright Shinji-kun?" A gentle voice asked to his right. Shinji looked up and saw Ukitake walk towards him, Kyoraku on his left. Both of them looked at him a little worriedly. Shinji shoulders slumped a little. "I…need someone to talk to…" He admitted softly. Ukitake shot him an understanding smile and motioned for him to follow. They all sat down at a small table in the eight-division barracks. Shinji ran a hand through his hair.
"Do you remember…the day we found Rose…it's been a couple of years already." He asked them in way of beginning. Ukitake and Kyoraku shared a look before nodding simultaneously. "I found out why he was that way…" Shinji told them softly. "Why?" Ukitake implored gently. "He's in love." Shinji told them, a wry smile on his lips as Kyoraku and Ukitake raised their eyebrows in surprise. "Yes, I know, quite the shock." He said as he took in their expressions. "With who?" Kyoraku asked, curiosity awoken. Shinjis smile turned almost pained as he spoke next. "Ichigo Kurosaki." He said. Ukitake and Kyoraku leaned back in their chairs as they contemplated the implications of this.
"Wait, wait." Kyoraku said. "So, he's in love with Ichigo-kun, and he hasn't seen him since-what? Ten years?" He asked. Shinji sighed. "If only it were that simple…" Shinji said. "You see, Ichigo is also in love with Rose. And the last time they saw each other was five years ago." Ukitake and Kyoraku looked at him uncomprehendingly. "If it helps, the next time they'll meet is in two months, exactly five years after the last meeting." Here he gave them a pointed look. "I see…" Ukitake said, a sad smile on his face.
"They wait five years to see each other for one day…" Kyoraku tipped his hat down and looked at the floor in contemplation. "A romantic tragedy…" He said softly. Shinji nodded. "I confronted him. Told him to stop, to end things with Ichigo." Shinji said, running his hand through his hair. "I don't want them to be unhappy…but only seeing each other every five years…having to watch the one you love age and die…I couldn't…I can't let Rose go through that…But I don't know if I've made the right decision…" Shinji looked down at the table, face clouded in his troubled thoughts. Ukitake reached out and touched his arm. "You are trying to protect your friends, right?" He asked him softly. Shinji nodded. "Neither Rose nor Ichigo strike me as the people to hold grudges. They know that your intentions are good Shinji." He told him gently. Shinji closed his eyes and nodded once.
The day came. Rose and Shinji made up a fake reason to visit the world of the living. Rose's face was unreadable during their whole trip to the world of the living. As they stepped outside and took in the view of Tokyo in front of them they couldn't help but gape at it's sheer size. Pulling out the piece of paper and a map, Rose quickly orientated himself before setting of into the direction of Ichigos apartment building. After half an hour of Shunpoing they found the place. Shinji looked up the apartment building in astonishment, it was modern and well kept. Definitely not something cheap. He watched as Rose stepped inside his portable Gigai and ascended the stairs. He saw him knock on the door, waiting for a few seconds. The door was opened quickly, and the next thing Shinji saw were a pair of arms hugging Rose close. Shinji settled to watch from the apartment opposite, sitting down on the ledge.
Rose knocked, he felt Shinjis gaze in his neck, but his heart was thrumming to loudly for him to care. He had dreaded and looked forward to this day more than anything before in his life. The door opened, and he felt a warm body collide with his. Soft hands found their way around his neck. His eyes fluttered shut as he felt the familiar warmth and smell of Ichigo around him. He slowly extracted himself and was finally able to look at Ichigo. At twenty-five, Ichigo had grown out his hair even more. It was pulled into a loose braid over his shoulder like last time. He wore a soft pair of grey cotton pants and a black dress shirt. His face had lost most of it's youthfulness. His lips seemed plusher, his jaw even more prominent. Rose couldn't help the happy laugh that escaped him as he pulled Ichigo forward once again. "I love you. I love you." Ichigo whispered to him. The first words that had been spoken between them for five years. Rose pulled back. "I love you too. Gods I missed you so much Ichigo." He whispered hoarsely as he pressed their foreheads together. Ichigo reached out and kissed him. He knew he shouldn't, he was here to never come again, but the sweetness of Ichigos lips compelled him to draw him closer, kiss him deeper in bitter sweet love.
Shinji was watching them from the other building, a sad smile gracing his features as he heard the first laugh Rose had emitted in years, he watched them kiss and his heart grew heavier.
Ichigo gave Rose a soft smile and took his hand, pulling him inside. Rose stepped into the cool hallway and took in the interior of Ichigos apartment. Instruments were either handing of the walls or lying on all the surfaces. CD's were stacked so high, they almost reached the ceiling. Books about music and biographies were sitting in order on their cabinet. Rose stepped further inside, he pulled Ichigo with him and sat down on the couch. They were sitting next to each other. Hands still intertwined. Rose directed a bitter smile at Ichigo. Ichigo looked at him with softness in his eyes.
"What's the matter?" He asked. Rose let his head fall forward in despair. Ichigo pulled his hand from Roses and quickly pulled him into a hug. Burying his face in Ichigos neck Rose finally spoke. "This is the last time we'll see each other." He whispered to Ichigo, voice breaking slightly. Ichigo stiffened and tightened his hold on Rose. "Why?" He asked, voice shaky. "Shinji…found out. He's waiting outside. But…he only pushed me towards what needed to be done." Rose spoke in a whisper, face still hidden in Ichigos neck. He slowly drew away. He looked into Ichigos eyes, expecting to see blame, confusion or anger.
Instead he found quite acceptance, longing and love. "Aren't you angry…?" Rose whispered to him in question. Ichigo swallowed and looked down shaking his head no. "I knew this was coming, if not this time maybe the next or the one after that…" Ichigo told him a sad smile on his face. "You need to live your life, Ichigo." Rose told him softly, tugging an errand strand of hair behind Ichigos ear. "Live your life to the fullest and be happy…And I'll promise you, no matter how many years from now. 40 or 50 or 60. I'll wait for you." Ichigo looked at him in shocked surprise. He reached out and buried his face in Roses chest. "I don't want to…" Ichigo said softly. "I don't want a life without you…" Rose kissed the top of his head, pain evident in his eyes.
"I know. I know." He whispered, stroking Ichigos hair. Ichigo looked up, searching Roses eyes. "I love you." Ichigo told him. Rose looked at him, softness in his gaze. "And I love you…and time won't change that one bit." Ichigo looked at him with true despair now, pain and longing and love. "Kiss me, please." Ichigo begged voice quivering. Rose swooped down and pulled Ichigo into a long, loving kiss. He felt wetness on his cheeks but didn't break away, he didn't know whether it were his tears or Ichigos. They broke apart, realizing they both were crying. The clock struck. Rose looked over, eyes clouded in pain. "I have to go…" He whispered.
Ichigos eyes widened in shock. "What? Why?" He asked, hand gripping and holding Rose closer. "Shinji…he gave me one hour…to say goodbye." He told him, reaching out and gently prying Ichigos finger from him. He got up and walked towards the door. Ichigo was pressed close to his side, Rose had looped and arm around his waist, trying to get as much contact to the love of his life as he could still get. Rose opened the door. His heart grew heavier as he looked outside. The second he stepped away from Ichigo. It would be over. They would not see each other again and if they did Ichigo wouldn't remember him.
Tears dripped down his face as he turned towards Ichigo, eyes roaming his face to burn it into his memory. He leaned down and kissed him. This kiss which was supposed to be filled with love, only tasted like despair. He broke away from Ichigo. Before he could step outside Ichigo caught his arm. He pulled him closer. "I love you. I love you. I love you." Ichigo sobbed into his chest, Rose could feel himself shaking with surprised emotions. He stepped away from Ichigo and gave him one last smile. "Goodbye, my love." He said. He stepped outside into the pouring rain and vanished before Ichigo could stop him. Ichigo remained standing in the door, he took a few shaky steps back and closed it softly. It's locking mechanism echoing loudly in his ears. He slid down the door and cried.
Rose stepped away, the cold rain was hitting his shoulders, he didn't turn around again as he vanished in a quick shunpo, stumbling as he landed next to Shinji and his legs gave out. Shinji quickly caught him. "I got you. I got you." Shinji told him as he held his sobbing friend close. He had never seen Rose like this. It couldn't compare to the scene he had witnessed all these years ago, the tears he cried now were filled with so much heart break and longing that Shinji could only close his eyes at his friend's pain and whisper empty words of comfort to him. Rose suddenly pulled away, he dried his tears and stepped out of his Gigai. His eyes were guarded and empty when he asked Shinji to open the Sekaimon. Shinji nodded. Their journey back was spent in absolute silence.
Ukitake and Kyoraku had awaited their arrival, casually leaning against one of the walls to the Gate. They were worried about Rose's condition. As they saw Shinji arrive, Kyoraku couldn't stop the wry smile at his soaked state. Rose arrived behind him. He was just as soaked, but he didn't seem to mind. "Rose-kun." Ukitake called out to him. Rose turned towards him and looked at them. Ukitake almost took a step back in shock. His eyes were cold. No spark, no life, no recognition. He nodded towards them once and was gone in a shunpo the next second. Shinji looked after him in worry. Ukitake and Kyoraku walked towards him. "Didn't go well, did it?" Shinji shook his head. "It was to be expected." Shinji said softly. Ukitake nodded sadly as all of them looked into the direction Rose had vanished in.
A/N: This becomes more and more tragic with every chapter ^^ If it get's to much please tell me :)
Also I would like to know how many People would like this to end with a happy ending? Just tell me which you prefer, happy or sad ending, so I'll know in which direction to write the stroy ^^ Thanks :D