"Arashi!" Arashi turned just in time to see a blur of movement before she was nearly knocked off her feet. For someone so slender, Yuzuriha had always managed to have a lot of force behind her.

"I'm so glad you were able to meet me today!" Yuzuriha beamed and Arashi was struck by the realization that they were nearly the same height now. How had it not occurred to her that Yuzuriha would have grown up in the past few years? Once released she glanced around to see if anyone was watching and reached out to discretely pat Inuki's head, aware that what had been a playful puppy was now a full grown hound as well. Yuzuriha grinned at the small gesture. "Shall we go in? I keep hearing that this place has amazing danishes and based on the smell alone I'm betting it's true!"

Arashi followed Yuzuriha inside, wondering at the way she sparkled. It was impressive the way she had not lost her youthful energy but had gained a mature edge to her confidence. Arashi wondered what it was exactly. She couldn't say that Yuzuriha held her head higher, as she had never been one to bow down in the first place nor could she way it was the direct gaze as she had never been one to avert her eyes.

"What do you think, green tea or should we try jasmine?"

"Um, either is fine." Arashi blushed, realizing she had been staring.

Yuzuriha studied her back for a moment before turning to order for them both.

They found a table and Arashi stared awkwardly at the laminated covering, hoping she wouldn't have to start conversation. Given her companion, naturally she didn't.

"So as much as I wanted to catch up with you I have to confess, there was a specific reason I called you today! I have something important to ask you." Yuzuriha reached across the table to take Arashi's hands in hers and stared intently into her eyes. "I hope this isn't too forward of me but- " she leaned in and Arashi found herself automatically doing the same, at a loss as to what was happening. "Arashi… will you be my bridesmaid?"

Arashi blinked in surprise as the words sank in. "Sorry?"

"Usually this is the kind of thing you ask before sending out wedding invitations I know but to be honest, I didn't intend to make a big deal out of this whole thing!" Yuzuriha laughed. "Kusanagi is the one who insisted that if we were going to get married we should go all out."

"Oh." Arashi paused as a waiter set down their tea and pastries. "Wait, the last time we talked, wasn't Kusanagi opposed to even being in a relationship with you? I was a little to hear that you were getting married at all."

"Hm." Yuzuriha leaned back in her chair as she absent-mindedly slipped bits of pastry to Inuki under the table. "He was. But then he got deployed to Honduras- well you heard about that."

Arashi nodded, remembering the way Yuzuriha's voice had shook on the phone when she told her about Kusanagi leaving the country.

"And while he was there- well he had some experiences that made him rethink matters." Yuzuriha sipped her tea thoughtfully. "I'm glad though. I never intended to give up on him so it made things easier that he came around on his own." She gave Arashi an impish grin then sobered again.

"Hey Arashi… did you know that there were others like us?"

"Like Subaru and Aoki and-"

"No." Yuzuriha shrugged. "Well yes them too. But I mean did you know there were other Seals and Angels in other countries?"

Arashi stared at the younger woman, floored by the suggestion. What had happened in 1999 had been figuratively and literally earth-shattering and yet so isolating to be subsequently surrounded by civilians trying to process apocalyptic events without knowing their cause. It hadn't occurred to her to imagine that somewhere out there were others who were aware of what had happened.

"I know, I never thought about it either, even though we all knew that there were disasters happening all over the world so maybe we should have." She reached subconsciously for Inuki's ears, ostensibly to scratch them but Arashi knew it was more a reach for comfort and reassurance. "Kusanagi met some others."

"And?"

"Well we're friends with a Seal from China who just recently moved back here to be with his girlfriend." Yuzuriha replied. "He's really friendly!" She chuckled at some private joke. "Once you get to know him anyway." Her face softened and while her smile didn't fade, her eyes glazed somewhat. "I think it was good for Kusanagi to talk to someone who had been through something similar to what he had. It put a lot of things into perspective and helped heal some emotional wounds, you know?"

Arashi considered this silently, unsure of what to say.

"What about you?" Yuzuriha asked softly. "I know we've talked on the phone but you usually don't say much and this is the first time you've actually agreed to see my in person in over a year." She fiddled with her cup, considering her words carefully. "Are you… doing any better?"

Arashi shrugged, again uncertain as to how to answer. Was she doing better? Better than what? "I'm fine." She replied at last, aware that she should say something.

Yuzuriha studied her for so long that Arashi could feel herself growing warm under that discerning gaze. "It's okay if you're not you know." She began slowly. "Everyone takes their own time to deal with things. And it isn't like-" She hesitated. "-things can just go back to how they were before."

"No." Arashi agreed in a slightly strangled voice. "They can't."

"But you know Arashi, it's also okay to move forward."

Arashi had no answer for this and so Yuzuriha changed tack. "Are you still living with Subaru?"

A nod.

"How's he doing?"

"He's-" Arashi paused, thinking of the empty sake bottles overflowing the recycling bin back home. "The same."

"The same as you? Or the same as he was before?"

Is there a difference? Arashi wondered. Though truth be told, she hadn't contributed to that pile of bottles in a few days, now that she thought about it. "The same as he was before."

Yuzuriha stirred her tea thoughtfully. "You know, you're the only one he talks to."

Arashi snorted. "It's not like we have long, meaningful heart-to-hearts."

"No, but I mean I've tried to call him before. He doesn't answer. He won't answer Aoki's calls either, never has. You're the only person he didn't completely shut out. Maybe I'm just being naïve, but I always hoped that the two of you would find some sort of solace together."

Arashi could feel heat flood her cheeks as she remembered her conversation with Lady Sumeragi just days before. Yuzuriha of course noticed immediately and hope sparked in her eyes.

"Is there something going on?" She asked brightly.

"Well… not exactly."

"Not exactly?" Had Yuzuriha always had that threatening a smile, Arashi wondered as she leaned away, trying to avoid her expectant gaze. "What does 'not exactly' mean?"

Before she could stop the words from tumbling out, Arashi found herself explaining the premonition she had had of the little girl.

"Wow! Oh Arashi, you'll be a great mom! Have you already told Subaru?"

"Already?"

" Yeah! He should know sooner rather than later don't you think?"

Arashi blushed fiercely. "I mean I don't know, I guess I might tell him someday…"

"Someday? Don't you think he'll notice soon?"

"Notice?"

"That you're pregnant."

"What!" Arashi covered her face. "No, Yuzuriha, I'm not… now."

"Oh."

"It was a premonition… as in it's something in the future."

Yuzuriha calmly sipped her tea, an abrupt shift from her previous excitement. "I see. Well you're going to have very beautiful children between the two of you when you do."

Arashi buried her face again. "I never said 'children'."

"But you haven't told Subaru about the premonition either?"

"No. I don't know how to bring it up." Arashi lowered her hands.

"On a romantic date?"

Arashi stared at her blankly and Yuzuriha stared back.

"You haven't even been on a date?"

"No."

"But you're imagining your children? Wow Arashi, you go girl." Arashi flicked a crumb at her and Yuzuriha laughed. "Seriously though, why don't you? Ask him on a date that is."

Arashi frowned, considering.

"At least think about it. If nothing else, he can be your date to our wedding! Which, by the way, don't think I haven't noticed you never answered me about being a bridesmaid." Yuzuriha pointed an accusatory finger, startling Arashi out of reverie.

"Oh- I don't know-"

"Bzzt" Yuzuriha held her arms at a cross. "The correct answer is yes!" She beamed. "I mean you're going to be a bridesmaid one way or another but it's much easier if you agree to it don't you think?"

Arashi sighed.

"You'll have to get your measurements to me ASAP though. The dresses are going to be hand made."

Arashi stared at her incredulously. "You're making your own bridesmaid dresses?"

Yuzuriha guffawed. "Oh no. If I did that we would all end up wearing paper bags. No, one of my other bridesmaids is making the dresses herself! Tomoyo's fantastic at that kind of thing!"

.

.

It was early morning, just faint strains of sunlight suffused through clouds hinting at another snowfall, when Arashi was walking home from another job.

Another spirit, another person violently killed in the earthquake. It was becoming commonplace nearly to the point of being dull. This one was a young man who never got the chance to propose to his girlfriend. Arashi had wandered the area, walking the streets of said girlfriend's neighborhood with him until he found that the girlfriend had moved on and decided it was time he did as well.

Arashi wondered what would have happened if the girlfriend had also died. Would they have both become ghosts, agonizing over the loss of one another and lost opportunity at a loving life together? Or would they have happily moved into the afterlife together? Maybe if one person died before the other they were never meant to be in the first place?

She felt her heart squeeze at the thought.

Still, she thought of the way the young man had cried tears of joy to see that his former lover was happy.

When she returned to the house, she found herself wandering to Subaru's room again. It had long since become habit for him to simply collapse on the bed still dressed or half dressed after long nights of work but she still sighed, seeing that he had done so again. Even from the other side of the room she could see the dark circles under his eyes and she decided to leave him be, returning to her own room to change and curl up under the covers.

She dreamed of a little girl, a gurgling giggle beneath an oversized bow and even in her sleep, Arashi felt her lips curl just slightly in response.

When she woke, she found Subaru at the kitchen table, staring into space. This wasn't terribly unusual but something nudged Arashi in his direction and she sat down across from him, folding her hands politely. He made no sound or movement to acknowledge her.

She simply studied his features for a moment, taking in the weariness there in the way the corners of his mouth seemed permanently turned down, the way his eyes remained dull regardless of the situation around him. It had been a long time since he had looked alive, she realized.

At long last, she cleared her throat and again he sat still and silent as a doll but for the tiniest of shift of his eyes toward hers.

"We should go out." The words tumbled forth without the thought having passed through her mind.

Subaru blinked and she knew he was waiting for her to elaborate on a job that required his attention.

"For fun… that is." She amended, careful not to stammer.

His frown deepened almost imperceptibly and she knew he didn't understand. Subaru had never seemed to really understand the concept of fun even before the events at Rainbow Bridge. Admittedly, it had never been her strong suit either.