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'Isn't this the best way to start the day?' Asuka asked, settling back into the water with a sigh.

'I'm surprised you wanted to get up so early,' Rei said, slipping into the water next to her. 'Apart from school days, I can't remember the last time you got up before 9:00...'

'Yeah,' Asuka said, with a grin. 'This will be the last time we get to visit the baths, so I wanted to make the most of it while we can...'

'I...want to thank you for arranging this,' Rei said, looking down. 'I...was unsure about coming here, but I have enjoyed it...'

'I had fun, too,' Asuka said, leaning in to give her a quick kiss on the lips...

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'That was delicious,' Asuka said as Tatsumi-San cleared away the breakfast plates.

'You're welcome, Sohryu-San. I hope that you have enjoyed your stay...'

'We have,' Asuka said, with a smile. 'We want to visit the Shrine before we have to head home...'

'Excellent. Will you be staying for dinner this evening?'

'We'd love to, but we need to be back in Tokyo-3 this evening...'

'I understand. I hope that you enjoy your visit to the Shrine...'

#####################

Rei and Asuka bowed as they passed under the gate to the Shrine before heading towards the square stone basin inside the gate. Kneeling down, Rei picked up one of the wooden ladles, starting to wash her hands, Asuka following suit. The ritual was called Temizu, a spiritual cleansing to symbolically wash away evil before entering the Shrine. Finishing washing her hands, Rei poured some more water into her palm, rinsing out her mouth and standing up.

'What did you want to do?' Asuka asked and Rei hesitated.

'I'm...not sure...'

'Okay,' she said, standing up. 'How about we each buy an ema...?'

'Very well...'

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I can't decide which one to get... Rei thought, as she ran her gaze across the rows of ema in front of her.

I've never really thought about what I wanted before...

Glancing over at Asuka, she smiled as she turned back to the ema's.

Yes... she thought, reaching out to select one with the inscription happiness in love...

#####################

Asuka's picked up an ema bearing the word peace and closed her hand around it quickly, looking around for Rei. With a smile, she walked over to her, linking her arm through hers.

'Come on,' she said. 'Let's buy these and we can go and visit the shrine...'

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Rei hung her ema next to Asuka's, standing back and glancing at her. Asuka was staring at the wall of ema that had been hung there by visitors over the year. She had seen which ema Asuka had chosen and was tempted to ask her about it, but she didn't.

If she wants to tell me, she will...

'Come on,' Asuka said, turning away from the wall and taking Rei's hand. 'We need to head back to the Onsen and start packing...'

'...alright...'

#####################

'Got everything?' Asuka asked as she opened the door and Rei nodded, picking up her bag. Grabbing her own suitcase, Asuka followed her out into the corridor and down the hall towards reception where Tatsumi-San was waiting.

'Thank you,' Asuka said, bowing to her as she handed over the keys. 'I wish we could stay longer...'

'You will always be welcome here, Sohryu-San, Ayanami-San,' Tatsumi said, with a smile. 'Sayonara.'

'Sayonara,' Asuka said, picking up her case and they headed out to the car. Pulling out her keys, Asuka opened the boot and heaved her suitcase in, glancing over her shoulder at Rei, who was staring wistfully at the Onsen.

'Everything alright, Wonder Girl?'

'...yes. Of course,' Rei said, moving towards the car and Asuka took her wrist gently.

'Hold on, it's me. Come on, what's wrong?'

'I...have enjoyed being here, spending time with you and I do not want it to end...'

'Why...?'

'Because...I'm worried that things will change when we get home and I will no longer feel this happy...'

'Come here,' Asuka said, wrapping her in a hug, giving her a kiss on the cheek. 'You have nothing to worry about...'

'...okay,' Rei said with a smile and Asuka opened the passenger door.

'Come on, let's go home...'

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Any reviews, comments or constructive criticisms are very welcome.