A/N: This story had an exciting beginning! I initially wrote it to the structure of Nat King Cole's song 'L-O-V-E', and I think it still broadly fits it, but then it became so much more! It's a good old fluffy time about our beloved lesbian duo and I had a lot of fun writing it :) I hope you enjoy reading it, too!

L-O-V-E

I notice it that morning, as we cross over the Yobuko bridge onto Kabe Island. Everyone else is glued to the windows, admiring the deep blue of the Genkai Sea. But not her.

"Junko."

She blushes as I whisper her name. There's a single empty seat between us, occupied only by her pale hand. I rest mine on top of hers, letting my fingertips stroke her delicate skin. No one can see us at the back of the van, not even Kotaro. The rumble of the engine is just loud enough to disguise the tell-tale sound of wet lips meeting — or so I think. I take my chance, leaning forward. Junko understands, closing her eyes, brushing her hair out of the way. Then suddenly like an air horn Saki yells, "You guys seeing this!?"

I leap back, banging my head against the window. Junko looks like she's just seen a ghost.

"What!?" I ask Saki, far too angrily.

Saki's perplexed expression gives way to a mischievous grin, "Did I interrupt something?"

"N-No! Of course not!"

"No need to be embarrassed. Actually, can I watch?"

Junko huffs, "Absolutely not!"

The hills are ablaze with the red leaves of autumn. Kotaro stands in front of them with a tripod. One leg has half a roll of tape wound round it from where he dropped it on the way to the photo spot. We've been stuck in this current pose for about ten minutes.

He barks, "I need a more genuine smile than that, Saki."

"Fuck you!" she snarls, "That was a genuine smile. What do you want me to do, pin my cheeks up? Slice a smile onto my face like the Joker, huh? You prick."

"The faster you smile the faster we can move on to the next pose."

"How about I shove that tripod up your ass!? That'll make me smile real good!"

In the distance I spot a couple, they look like newlyweds. She's in a white gown, he's in a grey suit. They have a photographer too. Probably — no, definitely — more competent than ours.

I almost forgot it's wedding season.

Maintaining my pose I sneak a look at Junko, who's currently next to Sakura. She'd look great in a white dress. I imagine us under that ocean of red, hand in hand, with a real photographer, her snowy hair waving gently in the breeze. Then she looks at me with those sky blue eyes, so clear, and even in my imagination I can feel my heart race. I've stood in front of thousands of screaming fans without breaking a sweat, but somehow she always finds a way to fluster me.

Kotaro's voice drags me from my reverie.

"Ai."

I blink, "Yes?"

"Eyes forward please. I don't want to have to do this again."

I sigh, "Yeah, yeah."

We walk down a hill towards Tashima Shrine. A massive stone pillar greets us at the entrance, as does an old man in a sun hat.

"You really came! My goodness, I can't believe the real Franchouchou are actually here to pay a visit to my shrine!"

I look to Kotaro, waiting for him to reply, but he's too busy fiddling with the van's keys.

Typical.

"It's our pleasure," I say with a smile, "We're always doing our best to represent Saga."

"That's admirable of you — especially as you're from Tokyo!"

I strain to keep my smile in place.

Did my accent give it away?

In my former life, having a fan old enough to be my grandfather would've been either surprising or creepy — or both. But with Franchouchou, here in Saga, it's become so normal that I barely even think about it. This particular old man seems especially lively. I only truly notice his advanced age when he steps towards Junko and says, "Not to pick favourites, but I think I might like your voice the most, Number Four. Have you ever heard of Konno Junko?"

Cold dread runs down my spine. I hold my breath as Junko carefully replies, "I've been told I resemble her."

"You look just like her! Sound like her too. She had a great voice. Shame she died so young."

I glance at Kotaro, who seems to have finally pulled himself together.

"Okay, ladies!" he begins, standing proud with his hands on his hips, "As you know, all our filming today has been for the sake of a new music video for Mezame Returner. Well, this is where it all comes together: Tashima Shrine. It's beautiful, it's local, and most importantly, it's old!"

The old man adds, "Very old indeed!"

"We're going to bring the ancient traditions of this prefecture back to life right here!" Kotaro points to a stone torii gate down a worn concrete path, "Now go! The shrine closes at sundown, so we have no time to waste!"

The shrine is hidden behind an outburst of leafless trees, on the edge of a bay filled with small fishing boats. Although we came down a hill to get here, the place where we'll be filming our video is up a set of steep, moss-covered steps.

"Sayohime," the old man explains as we make the ascent, "was a devoted wife. When her husband was sent off to Korea to fight in the war she climbed to the top of the mountains you see here and waved her scarf till his ship was beyond the horizon. She was so distraught that she turned to stone in grief."

Did Kotaro know all this when he decided to film Mezame Returner here? I mean seriously, you couldn't be any more tasteless.

The old man continues, "Now she's become a symbol of undying love. People come here to ask for all kinds of romantic blessings. I'm a believer in destiny, myself. If you're meant to be together, you will be…" he looks over his shoulder, "…even if you have to come back from the grave to do it! Love always finds a way!"

I tell myself that he can't possibly know that we're zombies. Behind me I hear Sakura whisper something to Junko.

Junko…

The yearning from earlier returns, burning in my chest. I don't know why, but for some reason I just want to be near her today. To hold her, to kiss her, to-

No. I can't go thinking spicy thoughts right before a dance routine.

I'll never be able to focus if I let myself get carried away. And now here we are, inside the ancient walls of the Tashima Shrine. The buildings are pretty enough, but they're dwarfed by the untamed nature surrounding them. Vines clamber over the tiled rooftops, bushes swarm the rickety walls of the buildings that house the spirits. If not for the sound of the ocean you'd think you've been swallowed up by the forest. Even the grass, normally kept so neat and tidy in these places, is completely wild, knee-high and covered in the dead leaves of withering trees.

Kotaro claps his hands, "Right ladies! This dance won't film itself!"

Junko pirouettes in the sunlight and lands in Sakura's arms, her white hair blooming around her as she spins. I watch Saki watch Sakura. Unlike me, Saki isn't even bothering to go through the motions. She's just standing there. Kotaro hasn't stopped us yet — which is good, because now Junko is dancing towards me, arms outstretched. Right foot forward, I give the imaginary audience a smile and then our hands connect, fingers intertwined. I draw her in, our faces dangerously close, and stare deep into her cerulean eyes.

Junko…

The music rings in my ears, hurrying the dance along, chasing the moment away before it's even had a chance to start. I ready myself, then Junko leans ever so slightly closer, her breath tickling my ears, and whispers, "I love you."

With a mischievous smile she flutters away towards Yugiri. I take my cue and amble awkwardly in Saki's general direction. Junko and I are both center stage — or not, I can't tell. I can't focus. My undead heart is thumping in my chest. Now I understand what Lily deals with every day. Next up: the big moment, everyone pumping their fists into the air, then 'cut in'. I face Kotaro but imagine her, feel her hands in my empty palms. My heart refuses to calm down.

Come on Ai, keep it professional. This is for the music video.

But it's not I who makes the first mistake. Kotaro claps his hands, "CUT!" and strides over to Junko, who's managed to get herself entangled between Yugiri and Tae.

"Number Four," Kotaro grumbles, "You have to be careful with your footing. The ground here is uneven, rugged like the great mountains reaching into the mighty heavens! You need to be like those mountains! Bold and unshakeable!"

The old man applauds our producer's B-movie performance.

Kotaro clears his throat, "Alright everyone! Once more from the top!"

I consider telling him exactly how stupid an idea it was to film a music video in an overgrown shrine, but then I realise that restarting from the beginning means I get to hold her hands again.

I hate to praise him, but… I can't deny he has his uses.

Sayohime's shrine is a little red and white building hiding at the edge of Tashima Shrine's courtyard. Standing in its shaded walls I look over my shoulder at the sun-soaked plaza where we filmed our dance. It's empty — for now. Taking my chance I quickly clap twice and make a prayer.

As if in answer I hear the soft tone of Junko's voice.

"Here you are!"

The sun crowns her in a halo of light. I make a feeble excuse for hiding away, "I uh, just wanted to see what the shrine looked like. I'll join you guys now."

She stops me with a gentle hand, "Actually, it might be nice to stay here for a little while. If that's all right?"

I caress her cheek, "Well…a little while can't hurt."

A little while later our lips are pressed together, ice cold in the autumn heat. It's the dancing that did it. Somehow she looked even more angelic than usual. Irresistible. Her slender arms pull me close, hold me against her. The costumes are so flimsy that I can feel every inch of her.

"Ai!" Junko whispers as I kiss her neck.

"Junko…"

I nearly scream when an old voice chuckles, "My, my! Sayohime would approve!"

The old man grins at us from the plaza outside.

I glare at him, "What do you think you're looking at?"

He winks, "Your producer sent me. He's all packed up and ready to go."

I maintain my stare. My makeup isn't perfect anymore, I know that much, but whether it's just a little smudged or whether my green face is showing, I haven't got a clue, "Why didn't he come find us himself?"

He shrugs, "I'm simply the messenger."

Taking Junko's hand I peer round the corner of the shrine. The courtyard we were dancing in is completely empty. Beyond the trees I hear the familiar rumble of an idling minivan.

I tut, "He actually left without us. Typical."

The old man suggests, "Perhaps he wanted to give you some privacy."

On principle I refuse to even acknowledge the wrinkled pervert's comment. If the old man really thought we wanted privacy then why did he barge in?

I step out into the burning sun, "Come on Junko. We're leaving."

She follows me silently, holding on tight to my sweaty hand. I can feel the makeup running.

"Wait!" he calls, "I didn't mean to upset you!"

The shrine's ancient archway is right in front of me now. I storm forward, furious and more embarrassed than I'd like to admit.

He calls out again, "Mizuno-san!"

I freeze. Junko stumbles into my back. Under her breath she asks, "Did he just say…?"

I look over my shoulder, but he's gone. The plaza is empty. All I hear is the hissing of the trees in the warm sea wind.

Where did he go!?

With a frustrated sigh I yell into the abandoned plaza, "Hello? Old man?"

Nothing. Junko looks around nervously, "I don't understand…"

Her hand is still resting in mine. I give it a gentle squeeze, "It doesn't matter. Let's go. He's just some pervert."

Whatever he's up to, I neither want nor need to know. We descend the mossy stairs and stroll alongside the boatlogged bay to the beaten up black minivan that is our tour bus. As its weather-stained door slides open I gladly welcome its stale, humid air into my lungs.

"What took you so long?" Kotaro barks.

Saki proposes an answer, "They were fuckin', obviously."

I sigh, "No, Saki, we were not fucking."

Lily gasps, "Ai-chan, you swore!"

Saki snickers, "She can do more than swear!"

Junko's eyes beam red-hot jealousy straight at me. I try my best to convey, without words, that I've never slept with Saki and never will. One way or another it works, and she settles next to me in the back seat, happily leaning her head on my shoulder. I think of all the things we could have done in that quiet little shrine and feel my body get just a little bit hotter.

All we needed was a few more minutes. Just a few more minutes.

I close my eyes and daydream of soft, scarred lips and blue eyes.

Back home my mind goes into overdrive, listing off every isolated nook and cranny in our dilapidated hideout. I decide I need to take Junko to the attic. It's the only place we'll get any privacy. We'll wait till everyone's asleep, and then we'll go.

As we lie in our shared futon in the crowded bedroom I take my chance.

"Junko-"

She cuts me off, "Let's go to the attic."

I pause, "I… was about to say the same thing."

She strokes my bare arm under the thick blankets, "I guess you read my mind."

Suddenly I decide that I don't care if the others know where we're going, "I'm ready whenever you are."

Junko carefully wriggles out of the futon. I join her, and together we tiptoe up to the attic. It's full of all kinds of old junk, and now it's full of us, against the wall, on top of the boxes, across the floor.

"God, I love you," I whisper into bare neck.

"You're making me blush."

"That shouldn't be the part that makes you blush, dummy."

She covers her face, but I see that her lips are curved in the hint of a smile, "You're cruel, Ai-san."

"Only as cruel as you are beautiful."

It's been a long day. I intend to make the night last even longer.

The next morning, Saki smirks at me as I leave the shower, "Have fun last night, did ya?"

Maintaining my composure I reply, "I don't know, did you and Sakura have fun?"

"Sakura needed her beauty sleep."

I allow myself a small laugh, "Bet that disappointed you."

She shrugs, "That's what my hands are for."

Blunt as ever.

"You're worse than that old man. I swear it was only me and Junko who he wouldn't leave alone."

Saki scrunches up her face in confusion, "Old man…? What old man?"

"At the shrine."

She stares me at silently, perplexed.

I sigh in exasperation, "The one with the sun hat? Told us the story of Sayohime?"

"Sayo-who?"

"Ugh."

She huffs, "Hey, if you wanna talk to invisible people, be my guest! I wondered what the fuck you were doing. Now I know: you were losing your goddamn mind."

"I-…"

I'm speechless. She can't be telling the truth… can she?

Saki never lies. That's half the problem most of the time.

It was only meant to be a throwaway quip, but now I have to know: did anyone else see the old man?

Saki was probably too busy staring at Sakura's chest. Surely.

Definitely. But there is one person I can count on to be paying full attention to her surroundings.

"Lily," I begin, kneeling down in front of her as Yugiri ties a ribbon in her hair, "Do you remember the old man yesterday, at the shrine?"

She looks at me quizzically, "No…?"

I strain a smile, "He had a sun hat on. He told that story about Sayohime turning to stone, remember?"

Suddenly Yugiri speaks up, "Ah yes, such a tragic tale."

I get excited, "You remember him then?"

She shakes her head, "No, but I remember the story. I visited the shrine once when I was still alive."

"Right… of course…"

Lily pats my shoulder, "It was a very hot day. Maybe you hallucinated."

Hallucinated, huh?

Standing on the balcony out back, I close my eyes and let the breeze clear my head.

Maybe Lily's right. Maybe I was just too drunk on Junko.

No, I didn't imagine him. But if I didn't imagine him, why did no one else see him?

"Love always finds a way…"

Even if it has to kill you and bring you back as a zombie idol to do it.

I laugh under my breath. Fate sure has a sense of humour.

I wouldn't change any of it though.

The door creaks open behind me.

"Ai-san?"

Junko stands alongside me, concern in her eyes.

I explain, "I just wanted some fresh air."

She rests her hand on mine, her fingertips stroking my bandaged knuckles.

"Something's bothering you."

"Nothing's bothering me."

"You look so serious."

"I always look serious."

"More than usual."

I smile at her reassuringly, "I know my resting face is grim, but I'm fine. I was thinking, that's all."

She scoots closer to me, brushing against my shoulder, "About what?"

I kiss her cheek, "How lucky I am."

I half expect her to laugh at that. Lucky? How can any of us be lucky when we died in our teens and came back as zombies? But instead she replies, "You're not the only one that's lucky."

All at once her arms are around my waist, pulling me in for a hug. I return the favour, holding her tightly, her soft hair caressing my scarred cheeks, "This may sound strange, but I'm glad I'm dead."

"Un-dead," she corrects.

"Alright, un-dead."

"I wouldn't be me without you, Ai-san."

I stroke her hair, "I couldn't imagine life without you, either. Not anymore."

"Then don't. Let's never imagine it. Let's be together forever. Always."

I look out at the ocean and think of Sayohime, the maiden turned to stone in grief, separated from her husband for eternity.

But not me. For me, love found a way.

"Ai-san?"

Those sky blue eyes are looking right at me, pleading. I answer, "I will never, ever leave you Junko."

I plant a soft kiss on her soft lips for emphasis, "Never."

The heavens may have roasted me and rotted my skin, but I'll be damned before I let them turn me to stone.