The full moon shone over their heads. It was summer and, while the weather was fair, the nights were shorter and their time together is cut accordingly. The urgency for enjoying every second, every heartbeat, to its maximum extent, to acknowledge how precious those fleeting moments were.

It was not often that Olympia got to have a moment alone with her soulmate, let alone time alone with him that was absolutely peaceful. No piercing looks, no responsibilities towards Colour Classes, no concerns about propriety and no other men or women trying to steal their significant other from them.

Their only concern was with each other, and the crawling moon across the sky.

In the morning, as soon as the sun rose in the skies, before the grace to Lady Amaterasu, Olympia went to the Shimizu Spring and plucked the prettiest Iroha flower she could find, tying it around Paris' neck with a small piece of odd-come-short, from the silk she began to use to sew her daughters' winter clothes.

As the sun began to ascend behind the horizon, Paris left with the flower on a ferry led by a contrarian Tsukuyomi. He knew who it would be his only passenger and, while he did not care much for the man, he still has not manage to elaborate a valid complaint to have these encounters finished. It has been over fifteen years at this point, but he still tries.

On the other side of the strait, Riku awaited with batted breath the appearance of the lean white rat on his garden, hoping that it would carry the small, simple flower that symbolized that she wanted to see him that night.

Few full moons since her departure for Tennyo Island had not seen an Iroha flower on his doorstep, and few were those nights that he spent in the Blue. He could not be with her when she delivered each of their four daughters, nor immediately after Chigaya passed away. She also refused his company in the weeks leading to and from his wedding.

His marriage in the Blue has provided him with a son of his Colour, a user of batsu and their future leader, his heir. He loved the boy and he respected his wife, but he still regretted the fact he was forced to keep up this ridiculous sham, instead of having his "other" family with him at all times, the only family he wished to have.

Alas, Paris ran up the street and stopped right across Riku, delivering him the flower and the silken odd-come-short with what resembled a polite bow, leaving soon after and disappearing into the shrubs on the side of the road.

Elated, he places the flower delicately in between his handkerchief and into his pocket, and heads down to Yomi, to prepare. While the years have been kind to him, he is hardly a sheng man anymore and wishes to present to Olympia the very best he can achieve.

The sun crosses the skies. Byakuya instructs her daughters, cook them supper and advises her oldest to be vigilant. Riku settles the most urgent of business and walks excitedly to the cove, where Tsukuyomi waited with the usual scowl etched in his face.

Before the last sunray disappears behind the horizon, the ferry departs in silence, crossing the whirlpools with ease. The man knew that his wife waited for him in their spring, and on he went, with no other regard.

Now, it is past midnight. Her hair was a deep blue, their skin shone with a sheen of sweat over their naked figures. They laid on the Shimizu Spring, over the Iroha flowers, silently enjoying each other's presence. Her husband's hand is placed on her knee.

Pushing her long and silken hair, unaffected by age, behind her ear, Olympia felt him watching her intensely, a smile playing on his lips. She, too, smiled as she caught him in the act.

"I should ask how much you enjoy what you see, but it has become rather obvious with the way you stare at me." She chuckled, nudging him with her elbow.

He laughed along with her, breaking the spirit of their usual pillow talk on those nights. He became serious soon after, though.

"Thank you, Byakuya." He said, turning to face her completely. "I mean it with all my heart."

The woman of the White took his hand in hers before asking, "What are you so thankful for?"

Riku let out a sigh of relief. "I am thankful for you. For you persevering with me, and for everything that you do for me. For giving me four beautiful daughters, for raising them in my stead, for the sunshine over our heads, and for loving me. For choosing me. I do not tell you that nearly enough, and I am relieved that I got a moment alone with you to finally say that."

Olympia became flustered, as she did not expect him to say that. She never once felt that he did not appreciate her, even when he had another impending marriage, even when that woman gave the son he needed and that the lady of the White would never be able to provide, but that does not mean it was not nice to hear him acknowledge it.

It was unexpected because it seemed as if he could see through her like they could see through the clear waters on Shimizu Spring. She was also so thankful for him, and for the strange family they built together. It made her happy that he was thankful to have her in return.

Before she could have a chance to reply, his hand found its way to her cheek and he pulled her in, a kiss that would have left her speechless if she did not have so much to say to him in return.

"I would not have it any other way. I have never had and I will never have a love so strong and so deep than the one I have for you, Riku. I would never give this up." She replied truthfully. "I must be honest, though, and tell you that I wish I was a woman of the Blue, that we could be married and live together. That we could wake and fall asleep next to one another every day, and not only when the moon is full. I wish that you did not have to find someone else to make up for my deficiencies, but I love you so much and I do not want to lose you."

"I am so lucky to have you." Riku said, simply, as there was nothing else that needed to be stated.

They both leaned back. He hauled her into his side so that his arm rested around her shoulders.

"For everything that we have been through, and everything I forced you to endure, to me it all feels as an adventure." He continued, placing a kiss to her head. "Now, as we reach closer and closer to the end, I realize that the treasure I was reaching for is right here with me."

Riku felt as if he is holding his entire world in his hands.