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A fate so cruel
They stood in a dark room, the pale one ready to enter the doorway leading to eternity.
His darker partner grabbed his arm, halting his progress. “ Please don't go.”
“I must. This is the end of my journey. I must complete my fate.” He tried to pull his arm back, but it was being held in an iron grip.
“I don't…I can't accept that.”
He turned around to face the man, the face he knew so well. “We knew that there would be a climatic end.” He stretched out a pale hand and cupped a whisker covered cheek, his thumb brushing away the tears that were falling unchecked. “Please my love, I have to go, I can't fight this cruel fate.”
“Why must I carry this burden? My shoulders will break, I'll break.” The man whimpered.
“No! Now is the time you must be the strongest.”
“I could join you.” The man said, his voice trembling, pressing his cheek harder into the hand.
“No you mustn't. This part of the journey I have to do on my own.” His chin dropped to his chest. “Please love, let me go.”
“I'll love you to eternity and back.” Stated Shunsui Kyoraku
“I'll love you beyond that.” Affirmed Jushiro Ukitake.
They repeated their wedding vows.
The firm grip finally loosened and the pale one moved closer to the open door.
“I have no regrets in this life.”
“Well I do, letting you go.”
Jushiro once more faced his lover with a sigh. “Please dearest, no regrets, remember what we said to each other the night before. No looking back.”
Shunsui gathered him into a fierce hug, then let him go.
After Jushiro walked through the doors, they closed with a terrible finality, causing his clothes to flutter in the draft. He stood transfixed for a while as if he expected him to return to his arms.
An hour passed and yet he remained. The doors remained sealed shut.
This was actually real. He knew it now. With great sadness he turned away, tears cascading down his cheeks.
A life filled with love is never a life wasted.