Reading Note: I hade to take some serious liberties when it came to this chapter. I tried to stay true what I could understand in my research, but there was definitely some cultural blending/gap filling on my part. So I apologize ahead of time for the guaranteed fiction I am about to present. If I get anything majoryly wrong, let's just say they're unothadox.

"TERU!" Rico hissed loudly down the street, motioning for the teen to hurry. Students, freshly released from their final days of high school filled the street A small wave of Teru's hand flashed in the crowd and Rico pointed frantically to the nearby Jeep as Teru approached.

"I didn't think he'd get a good parking spot for being so late!" She panted as panic of discovery flooded her system. "Did you leave him with Masuda like we planned?"

Teru nodded, quickly pushing back the passenger seat of Rico's car so she could climb into the back seat. Her garment bag, fresh from the dry cleaners hung off the back hook and she sighed happily seeing the box of supplies she'd been stressing over all day.

Rico had the car in gear faster than she could close her door. Teru ducked away as her accomplice pulled onto the street and proverbially dodged bodies. For a moment Teru could almost swear she could hear Kurosaki yelling "hag" as they pulled away.

"Did I get everything?" Rico asked as Teru sat up and buckled her seatbelt. Teru pawed through the box of beauty supplies and gave a thumb up. "Good to go."

"And what about Kiyoshi?"

"Rina convinced Kiyoshi, Haruka and the others that her dad is throwing a big party so they're getting ready for that."

"Is he?" Rico asked worriedly.

Teru shook her head as Rico pulled onto the highway and headed east. "Actually, a lot of this was planned by Rina." She admitted. "She said this was a lot more exciting than having a graduation party and I didn't really want to tell her otherwise."

Rico smiled at the subtle affection of Teru's recuperating tsundere friend. "Can't argue with her logic."

"Anyways, as long as Akira can gather the courage and then not getting carried away with his part, everything should go off without a hitch. I just hope we have enough time to get you ready before everyone shows up.

Teru hunkered herself down in her seat. "I did a test run on Tuesday when everyone was gone, and my fastest time was 5 minutes."

"Five minutes!" Rico exclaimed, the car swaying slightly with her surprise. "Teru, this is kind of a big day, I think you can allow yourself a little longer than 5 minutes to get read."

Teru nodded, looking a little wired. Rico, fishing around in a cooler on the floorboards, pulled out a water bottle and passed it back to the obviously nervous teen. "You're going to be fine you know." She reassured.

" Weeell… maybe." Teru huffed.

"He's not going to say no."

"He sounded pretty resolute when he talked about us waiting longer."

"He's just doing what he thinks is right." Rico argued half-heartedly.

"I know, but I think I should get a say too." Teru countered, "And if he's even half as serious about being as stubborn as he plans, I have to do everything I can before he gets too resolute."

"You've got him there." The older woman agreed, making a lane change before turning back to the conversation. "And the reason I say he's not going to say no is because if he's even half as serious about as he says he is, he wont be able to say no to anything you ask of him. Even if it's this."

"But should I really be strong-arming him into this? Aren't I taking advantage?"

"Taken advantage of what?!" Rico laughed indignantly "He's just being a coward. He's had more than enough close calls over M's Testament to know he can't live without you. He's just looking for lame excuses because he's scared."

Teru was scared too but she could see the truth in what Rico was saying. If anything she felt the same way. So many close calls had grazed by them, and she knew better than to second guess her desires in life. But desire felt too light a word for how she felt about Kurosaki. Teru nodded. "You're right. They're just hang-ups. I can't make him do anything he doesn't want to do, but he wants this and he'll say yes if he does."

"There you go Teru." Rico encouraged with a bright laugh. "You are the master."

Teru exhaled slowly, bracing herself for what was to come. She could see the blue shadow on the horizon as it grew closer. It was still early in the year but it had been warm and a small part of her hoped the sakura would be blooming early.

Kurosaki, stared numbly at Akira as the young man quickly began reloading his blow gun for the third shot.

"Don't even think about trying that for a third time." Kurosaki growled dangerously. "You're already dead twice."

Akira lifted the small cylinder to his lips and flinched backwards as Kurosaki made a sudden lung for the younger man. Masuda watched from the sidelines, calmly videotaping the chase. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU SHOOT ME WITH?!" Kurosaki hollered as he chased through the market's parking lot.

"Masuda!" Akira yelled as the fought to keep out of Kurosaki's grasp.

"I don't know kid. I can smell that perfume from here!" Master yelled, letting out a hearty chuckle

"I. AM. GOING. TO. KILL. YOU!"

"Kurosaki, you're going to make us late if you insist on killing the kid."

Master's unexpected warning snagged Kurosaki's attention and he skidded to a stop. "Hey, you're right!" he cried, leveling a fiery hot glare of revenge on the teenager. "I don't know when. I don't know where, but one day, I am going to get you back for that."

Akira gulped as Kurosaki pulled the perfume soaked shirt over his head. "I'm going to need to go back to the apartment and get a shirt." Kurosaki growled, chucking the wet cloth straight into Akira's face. Akira coughed and sputtered as the pungent floral scent invaded his mouth and nose. Yeah, maybe he had overdone it…. A little.

"Ah, don't worry about that Tasuku." Master chuckled; I've got a shirt your size in the car. We'll just stop by the shop and you can wash up. It's on the way."

"Thanks Master," Kurosaki sighed, shooting Akira another glare before they piled into Masuda's SUV.

Half an hour later, Kurosaki stepped back out onto the sidewalk outside Ohanabatake in a fresh shirt, not reeking of a grandmother's perfume. Master leaned against his car texting while Akira sat on the curb of the sidewalk a light floral scent wafted from his direction.

"Nice cologne kid." Kurosaki teased as he walked over to Masuda. Akira muttered a quiet "Idiot" but said nothing else.

"You throwing a party later?" Kurosaki asked as Masuda slipped his phone into his pocket.

"Yup." Master smiled. "One of my regulars wanted to host a sake-sharing."

"Wow." Kurosaki nodded, looking impressed. "They must really like Ohanabatake."

Master smiled widely, clapping Kurosaki on the back. "I'd like to think so! Akira!" he yelled, turning around to address his charge. "We're going, but you have to ride in the back."

The two older men laughed as the sulky Akira pushed himself up from the curb and folded himself into the back seat of the SUV. With all four windows down and the radio blaring, the three men set out. They'd be a little late, but at least Kurosaki wouldn't be a walking stink bomb.

"Okay… People only just started arriving but Masuda bought us an extra 15 minutes." Rina reported quickly. The girl had grown over the last few years, her relationship with Kiyoshi and time in the student council had shaped a decidedly utilitarian leader out of the young woman.

"Do you think people are going to get bored while they wait?" Teru asked, her nervousness breaking through again. "I mean, I don't know how long this talk it going to take and…"

"Shh!" Rina snipped, immediately silencing Teru's rambling. Rico eyed the young woman with new eyes. "If there is one thing I am good at doing, it's managing a group." Teru nodded, unable to argue. "You're only job is to talk to Kurosaki, got it?"

Teru nodded again "Understood Commander."

Rina nodded.

Rico gapped.

"I thought me and my girlfriends were weird." Shaking her head when the two girls eyed her skeptically.

"The point is, not even Kiyoshi knows what's going on and he can be annoyingly sharp at times."

Teru couldn't help but smile thinking of the moments that had been true for the new couple. " Thank you Rina."

The tsundere offered a small smile before she spun through the door and out of the ridiculously huge rented beach house. She'd been shocked when they'd first arrive, having revealed nothing about her planning once given the go ahead. Rina, as dissociative as she seemed, paid very close attention to her friends, and had practically forced Teru to let her contribute in such a fashion. Nothing she had said to the girl had ever swayed her and eventually Teru was forced to accept that it was happening with or without her and she should just be happy. If anything, she trusted that Rina was going to make everything perfect.

Teru paced the room for a while, thinking over what she wanted to say to Kurosaki. She'd even gone so far as to make flashcards. Rico had thrown them out the window upon discovery. "What are you doing? Rehearsing? Just tell him how you feel!"

Teru fidgeted in her knee-length white sundress and stared out the window, anticipating the moment Kurosaki would come into sight. A quiet tone filled the air and Teru froze as Rico read her text message. "They'll be here soon. I'm going to go meet them outside."

Teru nodded as Rico stood, but grabbed Rico's sleeve before she made it too far. "Rico!"

Rico smiled, turning to give the young woman a quick squeeze. "Remember, it can just be a party."

Teru forced herself to inhale slowly. "Yes, you're right." And she was. Rico and Rina had come up with a back out plan, something Teru hadn't even considered or really wanted when she thought about it. But, nonetheless it hung heavy in the air, a silent symbol of possible failure. Teru gulped as door made a quiet snick and she was left alone. She stared at the doorframe, realizing that the next time it opened it would be Kurosaki.

"Why aren't we going through the front door?" Kurosaki asked as he picked his way around the side of the massive beachside house, the back of which seemed to be nothing but windows. Several neatly dressed party goers milled between the open back doors and several notes of happy music floated through the air. Rico though, didn't lead him to the back doors, but instead towards a detached guest house. Rico stopped midstride turning on him, lifting her arms she settled them gently on the younger man's shoulders. Kurosaki eyed them suspiciously, knowing immediately that Rico was being weird.

"Rico." He asked slowly, unsure of how to proceed.

"Listen up Tasuku." Rico hissed dangerously. "I'm only going to say this once. You make that girl cry and I will reveal every little embarrassing thing I know about to your future teenaged children."

"Got it?" She demanded.

Kurosaki nodded quickly, not completely sure why she was suddenly talking about his non-existent teenage children like they were a sure thing, but unwilling to argue with her about it when she was in such a state. Her obvious air of seriousness, however, was hard to ignore.

"Of course Rico." He assured her. "But what's going on? Where is Teru?"

Rico sighed, brushing the tops of his shoulders. "Teru is in this guest room. She has something very important she wants to talk to you about and I want you to listen to her." The brunette demanded nonchalantly. "You are not going to fly off the handle. You are not going to interrupt her. You are going to face her like the adults you both are and you're going to listen, okay?"

Kurosaki nodded quickly, suddenly swamped with anxiety. Something was up with Teru and it didn't sound like it was anything good. He'd only been gone for two days. He'd been pushed so many times that afternoon to . He'd held out though. He was late, but when he had only a single piece of gum to satisfy such an overwhelming craving, he had to chew it wisely. With Rico giving him the ultimate stink eye he once again found himself battling the urge.

"I promise Rico. Can I go see Rico now?"

The older woman stepped aside, only to whisper "Everything" ominously as he passed. She didn't doubt it. She had a good memory.

Kicking off his shoes, Kurosaki called out Teru's name as he pushed past the shoji door. To his surprise, Teru stood only feet from away and answered instantly.

"Kurosaki." She smiled, looking nervous. Kurosaki wrapped her up in a hug before she could breathe.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." She insisted.

"Everyone is acting really weird."

"Sorry that's my fault."

Kurosaki opened his mouth to describe another anomaly when Teru's words caught up with him and he stalled.

"What?"

Teru smiled dimmed slightly, her face tinged pink with what looked like a good case of nerves. "The weirdness is my fault. Everything was because of me."

"I don't understand."

Teru nodded, taking a deep breath. She held if for a moment before set began her speech. "I graduated."

"You did." Kurosaki admitted a little reluctantly, nervous about where this conversation was headed.

"And I'm 18."

"You are."

"And I'm moving closer to the university next week."

Kurosaki nodded again, finding it hard to look at her.

"I want to get married."

Teru's request winded him like a knee to the stomach. He could practically feel his eyes bugging out of his head. "Excuse me?"

"This isn't technically a wedding yet, but Rina used repurposed a graduation ceremony. Everyone is here. But they can just be here for a party if you don't wan-"

A sudden force swept her up and the crash of her back against the wall and Kurosaki's lips on hers quickly enlightened her to the cause. Momentarily stunned Teru quickly picked up her pace and it wasn't long before she tangled up in him. Kurosaki squeezed her small waist as she hooked both her arms around his neck and pulled herself up to meet him. Her mouth, hot and sweet, gasped for breath and he couldn't keep himself from taking the opening. Teru moaned as he overwhelmed her. Sensing things quickly spinning out of control, Kurosaki roughly pushed himself backwards and away from her embrace.

"T-Teru, I'm sorry, I- " Kurosaki stuttered, stress swamping him. What had he done? It was the island and the college application incident all over again. Was he always going too loose it with her and push her too far too fast?

"Stop saying that!" She growled, interrupting his apology. "I hate it when you act like I wasn't even there doing the same thing. Do you not feel me kissing you back? Am I not doing it right?" She asked, her suddenly look of desperation catching him off-guard. He'd been holding himself back, but he didn't think she was taking it that hard.

"No, no, no." he urged, stepping forward to brush her hair away from her face. "Teru, please don't ever worry about that."

"Then what?" she demanded, squeezing his wrists in frustration. "Are you just going to treat me like porcelain forever?"

Kurosaki groaned in exasperation, dropping his head to Teru's shoulder. She smelled so good; sweet and crisp like spring apples. It was enough to chase away any memory of the floral catastrophe Akira had assaulted him with. It was enough to calm his mind and settle his heart. He really couldn't find it in himself to be worried in her presence.

"I want to get married too." Kurosaki admitted quietly into her shoulder.

To his surprise Teru said nothing. He lifted his head, but she refused to look at him. Reaching for her face he gently rubbed his thumb against her lower lip. "Teru?"

"I don't want to force your hand, but I don't want you to keep pushing me away either." Teru whispered quietly. Kurosaki leaned forward, unable to keep himself from nuzzling her cheek with his nose.

"Ah Teru." Kurosaki mused, as he ran his fingers through her hair. He smiled as the caresses caused her breath to hitch. "If only you knew how much I wanted to make you mine."

Teru's small hands gripped his shoulders fiercely. "Then do it. And stay doing it. I want you forever, can't you see that?"

Kurosaki huffed out a loud breath, settling in the fact that Teru was calling his bluff and he was about to fold. "It's probably not going to happen today, we're going to have to go fill about a bunch of paperwork…"

Kurosaki trailed off as he could feel Teru's blush bloom across her cheeks. Catching her jaw in his hand before she couldn't turn away, he forced her to face him. Immediately recognizing the truth of her embarrassment, Kurosaki chuckled as he lightly trailed his lips across hers. Her gaze was wild and hazy and he laughed again thinking about the seduction advice Masuda had offered.

"You already have all of it? Don't you?" He asked, his voice low and serious. With his hand pressed lightly against her neck, he couldn't miss her unmistakable gulp. Teru nodded. Kurosaki couldn't help but laugh in face of her tenacity.

"Kuro-" she began but she silenced her with a quick but pressing kiss.

"You aren't going to be able to call me that anymore you know." He teased, nipping at her lower lip. "You'll be Kurosaki too, right?" Teru nodded again. Kurosaki's grinned twisted and Teru couldn't help but shiver at the sight. Her whole body felt tight and hot and completely out of her control. She was fighting the urge to kiss him and running far, far away.

"Say it." His simple request hung hot and heavy in the air. She gulped, knowing exactly what he was asking for.

"Ta-Tasuku." She whispered. Kurosaki's grin seemed to darken and her eyes fluttered as he leaned his face in closer.

"Again."

'Tasuku." She repeated. "Tasuku. Tasuku."

"TASUKU!" Kurosaki and Teru grasped at it other in surprise as Rico's voice suddenly sounded from outside. They both froze as they realized their tangled position; Kurosaki's hand grasped firmly around Teru's thigh as he held it tightly against his hip; both her hands grasping the cloth of his shirt as he braced one hand against the wall and gently held her neck with the other. The following shout for Teru had her scrambling, but to her surprise, Kurosaki held her tight.

"No." he declared, pulling her back in to press a kiss to her forehead as the sound of the shoji door slid open.

"Everything good?" Rico asked a little sheepishly. "It's been a half-hour. Rina is starting to freak a little."

Again Teru tried to step away, but again Kurosaki held her tight. "I take it you and Masuda are supposed to be the witnesses?" Kurosaki asked, leading the fretting Teru over to the door.

"Yes?" Rico admitted, sounding nervous.

"Go get Masuda."

Rico beamed, before she leaned back and launched a loud chirping whistle through the yard. Both Kurosaki and Teru eyed her strangely. "What?"
Masuda popped up quickly. "So we're on."

Kurosaki laughed, "Yeah, we're on."

Teru sputtered as everyone kicked off their shoes and filed into the room. Rico headed over to the window and began pushing the pane aside. "Here, let me open the shoji so we can get some light. "What is this really happening?" Teru wondered allowed, suddenly feeling swept away.

Kurosaki laughed as he took their signature seals from Masuda. Brushing her hair with a kiss, Kurosaki pressed her own seal into her palm. "This is really happening. It's just a stupid piece of paper, but now it's going to mean forever between us, you understand?"

Teru smiled, shaking her head slightly. "I thought that's how it already was."

Kurosaki groaned into her shoulder, his trailing laugh exasperated. "I can't handle you when you're so cute."

Teru blushed and shook off Kurosaki as Rico handed her the paper. Inking her stamp she quickly found the appropriate blank and pressed. The room fell silent at the gentle tap that sounded. Kurosaki cleared his throat as Teru slid the paper to him. He scanned the type before he opened his seal case. Three red marks signed the page. His second father Masuda, his sister Rico, and once he added his own name, his wife's, Teru.

Shaking his head in wondrous disbelief, Kurosaki threw a quick thank you to a certain goofball in the sky and stamped his name. All they had to do was turn the paper into the registrar and –

"Hey!" Kurosaki cried as Rico practically ripped the paper away and bolted for the door. Kurosaki rose to chase after her, completely confused to her behavior. Teru's grip on his hand held him back. Glancing down he was surprised to find her smiling.

"Watch." She smiled, pointing back towards Rico. When he caught sight of his bizarre big sister she stood at the edge of the lawn, her hand held high yelling. "THEY DID IT!"

Kurosaki jumped as a great answering cheer sounded from the partygoers just out of sight. "This isn't a graduation party, is it?" he asked, eyeing his bride darkly. Teru just smiled, innocently as always. "Nope, it's a wedding."

"And that regular at Ohanabatake who's having a sake-sharing?"

"It's us." She laughed, looking relieved and a little stunned.

"Tasuku, Teru!" Rico yelled, gesturing for them to join her.

Tasuku bent his head and pressed a quick kiss to Teru's mouth. He smiled when she chased his mouth. "Ready Kurosaki?" he asked, pulling away.

Surprised in all the best of ways, Teru smiled. "Yes, Tasuku, I'm ready."

A/N: Yoshi and Haruka totally saw it coming, secretly helping Rina when she got overwhelmed. Every pocket between the two of them is stuffed with folded bills; monetary wedding gifts and the just stuff it all into a plastic bag, too startled to count the massive pile. They eat cake and finger sandwiches, dancing until the sun goes down.

A bit bigger of a chapter than I had intended, but does anyone ever actually complain about things like that? No. At least, not me. I also hadn't intended to update so quickly but there's no rules right?

This can be considered the ending. I think I'll post a lemon. I've got the beginning set up so why not post it? However, if you're not interested in such wonderful nonsense, you are more than welcome to stop here. Thanks again to Rainbows-and-lollipops for your kind words and review cheerleading. I hope my lemon can live up to your expectations. (Also, whiskey sour all around!)

Thank you to those of you who stuck with my fan-fiction. I don't always finish them, so it's always a good day when I do. Thanks for reading!

XOXO Zilla