The short but sweet ending. A lot of this one is just the letter. I hope you enjoyed the story. If you liked it, yell out for a sequel. Also Ryo appears as a guest character in "Thinking Of You".

Both my stories exist in the same world. :p

6: Finality?

I wasn't surprised that one day you'd manage to find me walking along the streets alone. But, was it coincidence that it was February 14th? I remember it being a Lover's holiday. So why did you come seek me out specifically that one day? It was a message you tried to send me. Wasn't it? I guess, I should have known the moment I saw you. You had changed a bit. You weren't hyper or lively. You seemed normal and in place with the rest of the world. I guess that's probably why I didn't notice you at first. It must have thrown you off guard when you met me and saw how much I changed in the months we didn't see each other. It was odd to smile. Especially...

When you're lonely.

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Kai entered the shop and looked at the Golden Haired boy at the counter. He smiled at Kai who walked up to the counter.

"I'm looking for Ryo. Have you seen him?" Kai said softly.

"Yea. He's out back with Nagori." The teen said as Kai thanked him.

He walked out the shop and walked around the corner and up the street towards an alleyway. As he did, a tall dark brown haired teen appeared and looked down at Kai. Kai looked up at him and stared into his eyes.

"Ry...o?" Kai said softly as the tall teen looked at him and nodded.

Ryo's eyes shone softly. They were violet in color.

"Hi, Kai." Ryo said softly.

"You... look different." Kai said as Ryo nodded.

"I decided to stop wearing my contacts and stripped my hair of its dye. I got laser-eye surgery." Ryo said as a tall blue teen appeared.

"Oh, you're busy. I'll give your final check later then." The teen smiled as Kai looked at him. He took his leave and left the former lovers alone.

"You're quitting?" Kai said softly.

"Yea, I'm going to America to learn how to produce animation. My Manga got picked up by a company overseas. I leave in two days." Ryo said a bit confidently.

The look in Kai’s eyes was of pure devastation. When he heard the words from his mouth, he felt dark and cold.

"Oh. I see. I... wanted to give this to you." Kai said as he pulled his bag forward and produced a box.

"What is it?" Ryo said as he grabbed the box and went to shake it.

"NO! Don't... just open it." Kai said as Ryo nodded and opened the box.

Inside were two hand crafted White Roses tied by a singular blue ribbon. Ryo pulled them out softly and looked at them. His heart raced as he looked at them.

"Why?" Ryo said softly.

"Because. Maybe... I still believe." Kai said as Ryo looked at him.

"Believe in what?" Ryo said as Kai looked away.

"In us." Kai looked at Ryo who put the roses back in the box and sighed.

"I can't-"

"Take them. Please." Kai looked at Ryo who nodded and took the box with him.

"How's... life treating you?" Ryo said as Kai looked down once more.

"It's fine." Kai said as he looked at the box in Ryo's hand.

"I wish I could... give you something. I don't have money on me now. Anyways-" Ryo stopped when Kai took his hand.

"Send me these in one year. If you... ever loved me... remember me. And send these back in on year. If not, then... I'll know for sure it was never real." Kai said as Ryo looked at him.

"What wasn't real?" Ryo said as he let Kai hold his hand.

"Our love." Kai said as he rubbed Ryo's hand with his fingers.

Ryo looked deep into his eyes. Kai stared up at the pair of unfamiliar violet eyes. But he saw it there. The spark he knew to be Ryo. They leaned in closer and their noses touched. Right at the moment their lips would touch, the brunette from the counter came out and yelled for Ryo. Ryo backed away and looked at Kai.

"Goodbye, Kai." Ryo said as he walked away quickly.

Kai stood there with tears in his eyes. The last chance for a kiss had died with the shouting of his name. Soon there would be no more Ryo. Soon there would be no more chances. Soon... he would be alone completely.

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That night I went to my apartment and stared at how empty it seemed. All that remained in the room was the lone couch. The couch that I swore I would never sit on again. I walked over to it and ran my hands on it. I sat down on it. I don't know why. As I did, I looked at the box in my hands. I pulled out the roses you made. I smelled them. the smelt like real roses. I couldn't help the tears that came. As the sun was already gone, all I had to comfort me was the moonlight. Then... I heard a knock on my door. It was you. You stood there and looked at me.

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"Kai! What are you doing here?" Ryo looked at the solemn teen who threw his arms around Ryo's waist.

"Don't leave! Please... stay with me." Kai cried out.

"Kai."

"If you love me then you'll stay! If you leave... if you leave..."

"Kai."

"If you leave... I'll never forgive you!"

"Kai."

"Because... I... love you! I love you. I need you. I want you. I don't want to let go. There's no one like you. There's no... No one who could replace you."

"Kai."

"I... keep dreaming of you. I keep seeing you everywhere I go. Even though I know it's not you! I can't help it. You... you made me better! You made my life new! You... you... are the other half of me I've been missing since my dad died."

There was silence between them. Ryo looked down at Kai who held him tight. Ryo sighed and kissed the top of his head. Kai looked up at him.

"Why are you really leaving?" Kai asked softly.

"To start over." Ryo said bluntly.

"Start what over?" Kai asked confused.

"My life." Ryo said as the tears streamed from Kai's eyes.

"Why?" Kai said as he softly punched Ryo.

"Because... I need to know... who I am." Ryo said as Kai punched him again.

"You're name is Ryo! You're the kindest guy on the planet! You like cartoons and mangas. You hate Strawberry Ice Cream. You love dogs. Your mother was a nurse and your father an artist!" Kai yelled out as Ryo looked at him softly.

"That's not what I meant, Kai. I just... I need to-"

Ryo fell silent when Kai locked his lips on Ryo's. There was no more to be said. They stood there in the doorway kissing, as the bright light of the hall illuminated the family room of the large empty apartment. Ryo kissed him back as they held each other close. There was not breaking from the other's hold. Kai held Ryo's face as Ryo ran his hands on Kai's neck. They added more passion as Kai pushed him into the door and kissed him more furiously. Ryo returned the kiss and deepened it as they made their way toward the couch this time. The fell back on to it and Kai pulled back from Ryo who looked at him.

"Just... one more night... let me stay with you." Kai said softly.

"Someone has to close the door." Ryo said as Kai laughed.

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You stood that night. I let you sleep with me. I could hear your breathing. It was like a soothing feeling in my soul. But the truth was... that when the night was over and the sun rose... that moment was over. I... extended out time together... by sleeping late. I forced it. I think you know I did. We slept till 3 in the afternoon. Then... we parted ways one final time.

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"Ryo... I love you." Kai said as he brushed back some of Ryo's misplaced hair.

"I know." Ryo said as he flicked Kai's nose playfully.

Kai scrounged his face and smiled as Ryo smiled at him.

"Did... you...-" Kai stopped when Ryo put his hand over his mouth.

"I did." Ryo said as Kai nodded.

"Will you remember me?"

"I will. I promise."

"I...-"

"Kai... you're the greatest part of me."

"I love you."

"I never stopped loving you."

"And I never will."

"Goodbye, Kai-chan."

"Goodbye... Ryo-chan."

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I left you there in the hall as I left into the elevator with my two suitcases. I could see it in your eyes; you wanted me to come back. But, I couldn't. Because if I did, then... maybe... well there's no maybes now. I got on the plane in Kyoto, and flew off to America. The whole ride, I couldn't stop looking at the flowers you gave me. As I did, I thought of you every moment. How you must be ready for the snow to fall since it hadn't snowed yet. Or how long will it be before the cherry blossoms kicked in and turned the park into a sea of pink.

Or... maybe if there would be someone staring down at the fountain where you probably sit everyday waiting for me. If you did wait at all. If you didn't... I’m not mad. I started my courses and managed to make my manga published. But the first copies haven't been put on shelves yet. I figure... since you helped make it, you'd get the first copy. It's called The Rose Promise. I finally gave it a title. Just... after all that... I felt empty. So, I did some rash things. I became depressed and couldn't stop crying. I longed for you. And then, I realized... who I was.

I was you. And you were me. You were the sure one. And I was the hesitant one. How could I have missed that!? Why did I lose you!? Why the hell did I not hold on!? Why... didn't I go back to you? Say "To hell with this!" and kiss you like we did that night. Make love to you. Be with you. I was... your love. Maybe... it was already too late. So... I kept the flowers as a reminder of who I was... and aimed to be again... even if it wasn't with you. I was someone who could love. I was someone one who could be happy.

Like I promised... with this letter is enclosed the roses. And the manga. I hope... you enjoy both. Because I did. Because they had your love in them.

Love - Ryo
I never forgot you... gaki.

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Kai looked at the letter and smiled. He closed his eyes and sighed softly as he placed the roses in his free hand down on the floor of a small grave. The headstone read "Hisurago".

The wind blew softly in the small grave site. Kai's shoulder length hair swayed softly as he looked at the flowers as the ribbon flew with the air.

He looked at the book and opened the first page.

'Dedicated to the red head that changed my life... and gave me a whole new world to explore."

He sighed softly as he cried.

"Ryo."

Kai looked up and felt a hand place itself on his shoulder.

"Little brat."

Kai turned around and his heart jumped as violet eyes stared at him.

The End.