A/N: Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I've wanted to do an epilogue for some time, and this seemed like just the right occasion... Especially since I realized, after all this time, that I didn't write a Valentine's Day chapter in this story! WHAT?! I know. Sacrilige.

Oh, and there's some exciting news at the end, so be sure to read it all! Enjoy :D

Epilogue

Our First Valentine's Day

"This was definitely the right idea," Natsuki smiled, leaning back into the cushy train seat across from Shizuru - who was reading through the itinerary she had made on her phone. "Whenever we go to Kyoto, it's always business."

"Mm, it's a shame. Married six years and we've never taken a proper vacation there." Shizuru turned to look out the window. Night had fallen and they passed the lights with such velocity it all seemed to blur. But the ride was smooth and calming up here in the first class area.

"Well, almost six years." Natsuki chuckled at the unimpressed stare she received.

"I didn't know it was such a burden." she added some sarcasm.

Natsuki lightly kicked at her leg, "Anything but." A faux-dreamy sigh followed, "I can say with full confidence that you are the least cumbersome wife I could have imagined- ow!"

Shizuru snickered and kicked her back, but within seconds they were laughing together. She put her phone away and crossed over to sit down beside Natsuki and lay her head on her shoulder. It's scary how fast time has passed… her hand was held. I still can't believe you're here with me sometimes.

"You should get some sleep." Natsuki mentioned, turning to kiss the top of her head and giving her hand a squeeze. "You were up way too early considering we were getting the last train."

"I was too excited," Shizuru smiled with closed eyes. "Valentine's Day with Natsuki - how could I get any sleep?"

"What?" she giggled, "We've had five together already."

Shizuru shook her head, still resting calmly. "We've had six. This is our seventh Valentine's Day."

Natsuki raised an eyebrow, curiously searching her mind for a few seconds longer than she'd care to admit. She's right! She jumped - panicked - and accidentally knocked the still-grinning Shizuru off her. "We didn't do anything for our first Valentine's Day! How could you let that go by?" Natsuki grabbed the sides of her own head, running through her memories. "Oh my god how did that even happen?"

Shizuru sat in peaceful comparison to her frantic wife - watching with an amused curve in her lips. "I forgive you."

"Why did you even marry me?" Natsuki rolled her head back and sighed before falling face first into her wife's lap. The back of her head was pet gently. "This is embarrassing."

"I'm just teasing you," Shizuru giggled, "And I married you because I love you. I didn't need another reason."

Natsuki relaxed, though she was still swimming through her memories. That was the only reason I needed too… She smiled and rolled onto her back, knees bent and propped up on the seat. When she opened her eyes to see Shizuru continually smiling down on her, a light chuckle rumbled in her chest. "You know… we don't really fight, do we?"

"Well, sometimes you can be a bit too blunt."

Natsuki's eye twitched, "And you could be a bit too sarcastic."

"Very well," she snickered and thought on the initial question. "But I'd say not… Why? Would you rather we have more arguments?" she joked.

Natsuki shook her head. "No it's just, some people say that you need to have fights for a relationship to be healthy. But I think they're mistaking disagreements for fights."

"Ah, I suppose so."

"It's not like we agree on everything, but it's because we're okay with that that makes us good together." Natsuki leaned her head back into the comfortable thighs. "No relationship is perfect. Some people have rough patches in the middle, some end terribly…"

Shizuru gave an uneasy huff, "What are you getting at?"She blinked when a head reached up to cup her cheek.

"For us, it's the beginning. We didn't start off in the honeymoon phase. Our whole beginning was working out problems. So…" she smiled more brightly. "I think we're accustomed to working things out instead of fighting." She sat up again and stretched her arms out in front of her. "I guess what I'm trying to say is: I have high hopes for our future. I think we're perfect - you're perfect. And…" she blushed and averted her eyes. "And I hope I can make every Valentine's Day from now on our first one - what should have been our first one - over and over!"

-0-

Right next to the train station was the Kyoto Tower hotel where they would be staying for the romantic holiday. The bright lights lit up the ancient capital - transforming it into a metropolis. Natsuki was always taken in by the sight of it, wide-eyed at the glowing signs and sounds of all sorts of vehicles. "This is nostalgic…"

"Hm?" Shizuru turned to see her staring up at the skyscrapers while they waited for the intersection lights to change. "Do you miss the city?"

"Yeah. Don't get me wrong, I love our house. But I'm definitely more of a city person."

"And here I thought you were taking on all the business trips so that I wouldn't have to." She feigned hurt.

"Hey that was a reason too!" Natsuki grinned as they made their way across the road. "Having all these people around - but not paying attention to you - is comforting."

Despite growing up in the city, Shizuru had never gained as much of a fondness for it as her wife had. It's here. I suppose that's all I think of it as. Present. Nothing less, nothing more. They entered the hotel side by side, but she quickly noticed Natsuki lagging behind - looking back at the street. But if it makes you happy, I'll make more of an effort to come back with you. "I'll go check us in."

"Ah, right, sorry. I'll come with." Natsuki stopped when she saw Shizuru giggle at her. "What?"

"Well, if you're so eager… Why don't you do the talking?"

Natsuki stiffened. "I… I really think you should do it…"

"Why? Whatever could go wrong-" she grinned mischievously, "-if you tried to have a conversation with someone speaking full on Kyoto-ben?"

Natsuki pouted. "Why do you insist on making fun of me? I understand you - isn't that good enough?"

"You're no fun." Shizuru waved dismissively and approached the reception desk. "One of these days I'll sit you down and actually teach it to you. It's not that difficult."

Natsuki's pout melted into a smile while she waited a few feet away with their bags. Truth be told, she may have been a bit better at understanding the accent then she led on. Really, I have lived with you this long. You think I haven't picked up some of it? She kept her laugh to herself. But you have so much fun showing off. I can't help it when you're this cute.

-0-

Another reason Natsuki enjoyed being the one to make our of town business trips was hotel beds. More specifically: the covers. She never thought to mention getting any for their home, as it was - for some reason - stuck in her mind as a special treat to reward her for a long journey. She slowly stirred awake under the thick blanket, smiling bright as the sun which shone through the large windows and held tighter to the woman in her arms. Everything is so fluffy! She shoved her face in the back of Shizuru's chestnut tresses.

Tickled by the sensation on the back of her neck, Shizuru let out a few soft giggles and laid her hands over the ones around her waist. "Stop it," she weakly rolled around - making a poor attempt at escaping the hold. "Ah!" she jolted when she felt a nip over her spine. "Natsuki!" She finally turned around - laughing even more at the sight of the mischievous grin. "What's gotten into you this morning?"

"I'm waking up in a giant comfy bed next to my beautiful wife on Valentine's Day."

Shizuru snickered and tapped the tip of Natsuki's nose. "You've gotten quite sentimental over the years, that's for sure."

"You bring it out in me. That's why only you get to see it. You better keep it secret!"

"Yes yes," she pet her head. "I'll admit I enjoy being privy to something as special as your adorableness."

"And besides," Natsuki smirked and rolled herself over so that she now hovered over the brunette, draped in the thick duvet and glowing with pride, "I told you this wasn't going to be our seventh Valentine's Day. From now it'd going to be our first - every year!" She purred into the kiss she was pulled into - but was left stunned when Shizuru was the first to pull back all of a sudden. "What is it?"

"What time is it?" She turned her head to the clock on the night stand. "Ah- we slept in!"

Natsuki didn't move, except to lower herself onto her fidgety wife. "You know… Spa days are great and all…" she nuzzled into the crook of her neck, "But why pay someone else to massage us when we could just do it ourselves."

"Oh? And then what?" Shizuru rolled her head to the side to allow for the soft kisses down to her collarbone. Reservations be damned, the tingling in her skin forced her to stay put and relish in the attention. She wrapped her arms up around Natsuki's shoulders and held her closer, unaware of just how deep and heavy her breaths were getting. "Are you going to pamper me all day then?"

Natsuki scoffed lightly through her grin and brought her affection to a halt - looking over with a stare more lustful than innocent. She slid a leg down between Shizuru's, who thought little of it, until Natsuki bent her knee and flipped them both over- effectively reversing their positions.

"What's this all about?" ruby eyes peeked through fluffy bangs, giggling through her confusion while easing their bodies together.

"Did you know? Six years together and you still hesitate." Natsuki laid back further into the pillows.

"Ah- I didn't mean-"

"It's okay." she smiled up at her, followed with a laugh, "You're even shyer than me!"

Shizuru blushed. "Now who's the one teasing?"

"Oh I'm not teasing," Natsuki's tone shifted back to sincerity as she slowly lifted her thighs up and around Shizuru's hips. However, she had let go of her arms and instead stretched up by her head in complete submission. She smirked and tugged her closer by way of her locked legs. "Don't think I don't know how much you love it like this."

Have I really been hesitating? Shizuru gulped, looking down at the docile little puppy beneath her. You're just too delectable. She breathed a warm hiss at the sensation of being urged closer again and again. The rhythm pulled her in and - as Natsuki predicted - appealed to her greater instincts. It wasn't long before Shizuru was the one taking the lead, running her hands first down Natsuki's chest - then continued one down her leg as she bent over her.

"You know… I don't know if I've really been as tentative as you say." Shizuru thrusted closer a bit more forcefully. "But indulge me: What is it you want?"

"For you to indulge yourself."

And that serpentine grin was the last thing Natsuki saw before her eyes rolled back - overtaken by pleasure.

-0-

"Is there anywhere in particular you wanted to visit?" Shizuru asked, leading the way out of the hotel, hand-in-hand with Natsuki. "After spending most of the day in bed, it'd be a shame if you didn't get to experience the city." She snickered and pulled her closer, "Not that I'm complaining about all that fun."

Natsuki blushed and fidgeted in the hold but settled into sharing a laugh. "I don't know, to be honest. How about we just walk around and see where we end up?"

Shizuru nodded, "In that case, this way!" She held the hand tighter in hers and pulled them in the direction of the more traditional shopping district. The sun was already beginning to set, emitting a rose-gold glow over the clear sky. Although, even in February, it wasn't too cold to enjoy a long time wandering around outside - certainly not in a city packed with people keeping it warm.

Their travels eventually took them down a series of narrow streets lined with restaurants. Handwritten signs and lanterns hovered around the entrances while an array of delicious scents wafted through the air. Natsuki took a deep breath - even going so far as to close her eyes for a few steps. "It feels like forever since I've been around you know, stores." She hopped just a short way ahead to a souvenir storefront. "Look at this stuff!"

Shizuru approached from the side to see a set of uniquely hand carved wooden statues - each holding a precious stone of some kind. "Ah, cute!" Before she even had a chance have a say in it, she glanced over to see Natsuki brimming with joy - handing some money to the old man behind the counter and walking away with two of them. "Hey! Get back here! What did you buy?" She chased after her out to the main road.

"Gifts for us, of course! It's not a cheesy first Valentine's without it!" Natsuki held them out to show her. In her left hand sat a small wolf with a sapphire in its heart. "This one's mine, because I love my family." In her right hand was a snake, and on the top of its head was a ruby. "This one's yours, because you're smart, passionate, and protective."

Shizuru chuckled, but humbly accepted the gift, "You knew that about me on our first Valentine's Day?"

"I'm pretty sure I knew it before that. You're pretty incredible." Natsuki beamed for just a few more seconds before spinning on her heel and continuing down the busy street.

Together, they basked in the afterglow of the moment and continued their adventure - getting a good look at the exteriors of the many temples scattered throughout the city. Although Shizuru remembered many of these places from her childhood, she kept quiet and allowed Natsuki's sense of adventure lead the way. Maybe I miss it too…

They wound through some other small side streets, got lost on a few shortcuts, and finally - unintentionally - arrived in the entertainment district. The sun had completely disappeared over the mountains, and the darkness it brought further accentuated the bright lights towering around them. It also became apparent, in these more crowded areas, that they certainly were not the only couple on a night out.

"Huh?" Natsuki tilted her head curiously at the large group of people all moving towards one building. "What's going on there?"

Shizuru followed the pointed finger, "Ice skating. Very popular on holidays."

"Let's do it!" Natsuki grinned, pulling her along even more. "It's been ages since I've gotten to go."

"Will you need me to hold your hands the entire time?" Shizuru's pseudo-mockery was met with a light jab in the shoulder. Sure enough, she found herself following her wife into the line of people - which moved surprisingly fast given the holiday. It wasn't long before they were both on the ice among the flock of lovebirds.

They may not have been the best, but certainly weren't the worst. And while some people were showing off their artistic skills on the ice, these two preferred to move along leisurely, side by side. Shizuru looked up at the deep blue sky, confidently postured with her hands behind her back. "You certainly know how to do a proper 'first' Valentine's Day." A giggle followed, "Really, you're so into it this year. It's cute."

"I have to be!" Natsuki picked up her pace to catch up to her wife. "We were even dating at that point - I should've done something! And why didn't you do anything?"

Shizuru lowered her gaze to the path she was following. "I was afraid - that's all. I didn't want to come on too strong at the start and scare you away." Her peripheral vision caught sight of Natsuki rushing ahead only to spin around in front of her as she began to skate backwards. She met the serious gaze with a smile. "Don't worry about it. Truly, I don't hold it against you."

"Mm," Natsuki slowed and made a turn on her heel to change her direction once more - now back side by side. "It just makes me more motivated now."

They kept along this way for another loop or so, occasionally holding hands but both content to simply enjoy the other's presence. "Out of curiosity," Shizuru broke the silence first, "Why were you so afraid that we would break up? Did you really think it would happen?"

Natsuki shook her head. "No, but that's what scared me. Not in a 'I'm afraid of commitment' way, but because things actually worked. The more I thought about it, and the more I couldn't foresee us breaking up… the more scared I got that - whatever it was - would come out of nowhere and be a million times worse." Still, she smiled brightly. "Pretty stupid, huh? I'm so glad I grew out of that sooner rather than later."

"I hope you know how much I love seeing you happy." Shizuru reached out to hold her hand, bringing them both to a stop off to the side of the rink. "You've grown out of a lot of things."

"Specifically?" She smirked, knowing full well where this was going.

"Well, your guilt, for starters. Your fear. Your grief - although 'grow out of' isn't the exact way I'd go about saying that." She smiled, running her hands over the collar of Natsuki's jacket. "But most of all, your dislike for public displays of affection." Shizuru pulled her up into a kiss, humming into the warmth of their bodies pressing together, but shivered when Natsuki's gloved hand reached up to the back of her neck. When a few ice cold water droplets ran down her back, she recoiled - snickering - and nuzzled their foreheads together. "...You knew there was ice on your hands, didn't you?"

"Maybe."

And as the delicate snowflakes started to fall over them, they shared another kiss.

-0-

Night had fallen by the time the pair wandered back to the hotel for the conclusion of their day together. The grand finale would be this moment, up in the Kyoto Tower Sky Lounge, looking out over the city and mountains beyond it.

Natsuki stood by the window, looking out over the scenery. Her hair cascaded down her black dress, which hung just above her ankles whenever she wore these particular heels. Her arms were folded across her stomach while she waited, but promptly turned when she felt a hand on her bare shoulder.

"Are you cold?" Shizuru asked, but was met with stunned silence instead. Her own deep violet v-neck dress was enough to render anyone speechless - not to mention the glitter of the diamond necklace she had resting on her chest.

"N-no," Natsuki shook herself from her reverie and gently patted her reddening cheeks. Though it wasn't long before she settled into giving her wife a proper, loving gaze. "You just literally took my breath away."

"How sweet," Shizuru smiled in return and held out one of two champagne flutes, "You look stunning as well."

"Th-thank you…" she trailed off and took the glass, then averted her stare to the outdoors.

"Funny," Shizuru snickered. "You'll kiss me in public but still can't take a compliment."

"It's hard!" Natsuki snorted, "Forgive me if I still get nervous when the love of my life says something nice about me."

"Too cute," Shizuru took a sip of her drink and let her eyes drift over the flashing lights and the faraway shadows of the mountains, just barely contrasting with the darkness of the sky. She leaned forward to rest her arms on the railing - a content sigh falling from her lips. "This was a wonderful day."

The chatter of other couples, clinking glasses and the like filled their silence in the background. Natsuki smiled too, looking out ahead while a hand reached out to stroke the tawny locks. Sure, I still get nervous… But somewhere along the line…

… This became very easy, did it not? Shizuru finished her thought, cherishing the touch and leaning closer to rest her head on Natsuki's side. "You've grown to be so warm…" the words came out so simply.

"All because of you." she continued to pet the top of her head. "More than just melting a cold exterior… You…" she pondered her words until she finally settled on the right ones. "You taught me how to be warm on my own."

"Oh? And how did I do that?" by now Shizuru's eyes had closed, focused on listening to the deep breaths and heartbeat she had her ear pressed against. She was jostled by the laughter though.

"It's not like you gave me instructions or anything. But six years is a long time - well, right now at least."

"Mm. Sometimes it feels like we've grown so much… others it feels like I've blinked and the time passed."

"Yeah," Natsuki nodded, "But well, I think, if I had to pick the thing I'm most grateful for, it's that I'm not- Damn this sounds so weird," she tried to laugh through her awkwardness. "I guess… I'm not afraid to be kind anymore."

"That is weird," Shizuru's blunt response was clearly meant in jest. "I'm divorcing you now."

"Hey," Natsuki nudged her shoulder with her hip, "I'm being serious here."

"I know." Shizuru smiled and stood up straight, turning to hold her hand up to her wife's cheek before trailing it down her arm to hold her hand. "I'm also grateful for something, too, which, if you think about it does sound rather silly."

Natsuki tilted her head. "What is it?"

"I'm grateful that I get to say 'I love you'." She smiled. "It's something I never take for granted - not once. It's one thing to know - between the people involved - that you love someone, or you are loved. But to be able to say it, freely, out loud, to the person… not everyone gets to have that."

Natsuki grinned brightly - almost childlike in her wonder - at the sentiment. "It's also a pretty great thing to hear too!" She squeezed the hand in hers, calming into the gaze they shared. "So, on this: our first Valentine's Day-" she paused to let Shizuru chuckle once again at the phrase, "-Thank you. For loving me, letting me love you, and for sharing our life together."

Shizuru raised her glass, tapping them together delicately before leaning in for another kiss. And together, they shared the words:

"I love you."

A/N: There you have it! I hope you enjoyed this - what is essentially my final contribution to this fandom. Now for the exciting news…

Arranged is getting itself an original version! Yes, I am in fact two-thirds done rewriting it and it will be available to read -ideally- late this year (I'm having surgery, but don't know when and if it will interfere with a release date). While the premise is much the same, this new version also has undergone so many changes that it has become it's own story - unrecognizable as a Mai HiME fanfic.

I urge you, if you loved this fanfic, please be sure to read the original version! It is written through, what I feel is, a more mature lens and deals with topics such as mental health/illness, grief and comfort, and - in the end - deepens the bond between our two leads more than this version ever could.

Furthermore, Arranged is getting its own soundtrack! I am composing original music to add another dimension to the storytelling.

But… I need your help to truly get this off the ground. Creating an original work is no easy task, and building a following is even harder. So I'm reaching out to you, my loyal readers, to check out my social media and stay up to date with what's next for me as a creator. If you loved this fanfic, you will love the original even more. My writing has grown, my ability to create characters and conflict has grown, and - most importantly - my understanding of love has grown.

I'm "Notori" on Tumblr, Instagram (Notori_0922), Jukepop (Novels), and Musescore (Sheet Music).

I'm "StormWolfTori" on Twitter and Facebook.

I'm "Notori's Music" and "Notori's Art" on YouTube for my music and art channels respectively.

*Look for my logo, the one seen here on FanFiction*

I also have a private Discord server for patrons, and I do art livestreams weekly (check twitter, tumblr, and facebook for scheduling!). I'd love to talk with all of you! … And who knows… maybe I can convince LittleDemonInside or RevalisPyross to stop by too XP.

That is where I'll be from now on, as I have made creating stories, music, and art my career. While I am fortunate to have a livelihood that I love, it also means that I must retire from fanfiction.

I thank you all for your incredible support over the years. Your patience, understanding, and love has warmed me - especially with Arranged. I would not be where I am, I would not have the opportunity to turn this - my "great love story" - into a novel for everyone to read without all of you.