A/N: In the Second Time Around universe, Celes and Terra have a surprise for Lightning and Fang. How will young Kurasame react to the person he meets? As with some of the other characters, Relm (FF VI) will now be added to the collection as a character! All pairings in this tale (which is short in length) are married outside of Leon/Minfilia (dating).

When Kurasame met Relm

"KURASAME YUN-FARRON! Can you please come to the living room?" Lightning and Fang shouted for their son to come to the living room, for the married pair wanted him to meet someone that Celes and Terra brought over. Speaking of the blonde couple, who said "I Do" in front of family and others close to them in a dual ceremony with Vanille and Carlyn - both the Fangrai and Sebusai pairs were in attendance, with Seven of all people being in the bridal party, and everyone having the time of their lives - they recently and legally adopted a young lass (who is also blonde) as a request from a dying Strago, a lad the pair knew well and could trust with their lives, who went by the name of Relm. To save everyone time, Relm is a handful who paints like a pro despite not being a proper teenager yet! Where was Kurasame, one is asking? He was in the middle of a nap with Odin and Interceptor in his room when his name was called. Both Odin and Interceptor, who was staying over at the Yun-Farron household because the Branfords (Celes took Terra's surname) had no time to care for him for a short while because they were going through a decent deal with the adoption process with Relm, had to perform a miracle in waking up Kurasame from his nap.

It was about 15 minutes later that Kurasame Yun-Farron finally made his presence known to the adults in the living room - and a young blonde lass who he couldn't keep his eyes away from - when Interceptor and Odin did their 'inspection' of Relm. Like the other humans in the house, Kurasame included, Relm had to get sniffed for traces of other animals so that they can claim her as their human as well. Celes and Fang couldn't help but smile at the scene they were treated to: Relm seated on the floor for the beloved dog and cat sniffing her while she was interacting with the pair. It didn't take long for Interceptor and Odin to add one more hooman (according to Seven) to their list as part of their pack, for Relm was beyond gentle with them both. What surprised Terra, and Lightning to a lesser extent, was that Odin gave Relm a kitty facial. Interceptor followed Odin's lead afterwards, which prompted Kurasame to reveal that she's their human as well as they did the same to him upon first meeting. "He finally speaks..." was all Relm said which had Lightning biting back a laugh, knowing that something sarcastic was about to come out of her mouth.

Terra, however, was thinking of that day a few months ago...

Flashback: At the Adoption Agency

"Terra and Celes Branford, are you sure that you want to adopt Relm Arrowny? She's older than the rest of the children here at the orphanage..." Alia, who runs the facility, asked the newly married pair about adopting one who is older than the rest, knowing that those who are much younger typically get adopted quicker than one who is at Relm's age. Celes, being Celes, was immediately sure about her decision. Although a bit hesitant at first, Terra followed her wife's lead. "Celes and I are very sure, Alia. We know the person who did his best to raise and help keep her out of the orphanage, Strago. We have a copy of his will that grants us the custodianship of Relm if that makes any sense..." Terra began while it took Celes the speed of Lightning's namesake to get the copy of the needed paperwork to help speed things along. It was when they got back from their honeymoon that Celes talked to several in the Guardian Corps about adopting Relm, and cited fertility issues both she and Terra have had for years. It was, very surprisingly, Edge and Hope who suggested the adoption route before everyone else at GC, and Amodar giving her his blessing - all of whom had heard that idea from Leon first. Leon had nothing but empathy for Celes and Terra because Maria and Firion can't have kids naturally themselves although they found a surrogate who helped them in that time.

Upon viewing the copy of the will, Alia was taken aback at how the orphanage overlooked this very important (and legal) document, which the oversight being the reason why Relm has been in the orphanage for the past three years. Relm was very fond of Celes and Terra ever since they first met. With anger and other emotions being all over the place, it was Alia who, after every other action was said and done, immediately granted the married couple to adopt Relm as if she was their actual daughter. To make things better for the Branfords now that Relm is officially adopted by them, Alia made good on her word to internally investigate the orphanage regarding this very oversight. This would have made Lightning very proud if she and Fang were at the orphanage. Knowing how Fang would react if she and Lightning were in their position, both Terra and Celes silently thanked both Etro and Lady Luck for their role in the changes within this orphanage that's to come, for they knew that the Yun-Farron couple would have demanded this same investigation if this had happened to them instead of Lightning being fortunate to carry Kurasame in her womb. It was 45 minutes later that Alia received an email whose username is tied to one Claire 'Lightning' Yun-Farron that made the head of the orphanage very grateful for everything.

If Fang only knew.

Present Day: At the Yun-Farron Household

"Very pleased to meet you, Relm!" Kurasame finally said, with the tone reminding him that he should have said that first before mentioning how people friendly Odin and Interceptor are, which had the young blonde laughing her arse off. After the laughing fit was done, however, Relm was at a loss for words at how much of a gentleman in the making Kurasame became... Lightbulb and Snaggletooth taught him well. He treats Relm like a queen in the making, and she's only 11, how sweet... Terra happily mused to herself at what's going on in front of her eyes: Kurasame held out his hand to help Relm up off the floor, and even showed her a photo of the group at the Halloween party, one where everyone in the photo was all smiles while looking like one Y'shtola Rhul-Hext, with Lyse owning the biggest smile in the photo despite sporting a black eye in said photo. The photo told Relm everything she needed to know about the people who Celes and Terra are tied to: the crew is very tight knit and stuck together, and expect presents from the adults in the photo. Relm is one more person to this crew, and if it didn't take long to get accepted by Odin and Interceptor, the others will follow suit in time.

It would be several years later that Kurasame Yun-Farron would FINALLY have the courage and ask Relm out on a date, which the response of 'It's about fucking time, son of Lightbulb and Snaggletooth' being the one that seals their fate as a couple until death do they part ways from each other. Their eventual wedding was one for the record books, with Hope and Porom walking Relm down the aisle that day. That day was enjoyed by all who was able to attend the joyous ceremony. When Lightning and Fang became grandparents, it was one of the most humbling things they can ever accept as people, for knowing that them being together will be key to making the world they live in a better place. Not perfect by any means, but better for all to live and be a part of, for society sure knows how to throw curve balls in anyone's direction without prior knowledge. With Kurasame and Relm, this idea was more than perfectly okay with them... they're human after all! Humans make mistakes.

Kurasame made no mistake with Relm.

FIN

A/N #2: Next tale is in the Paying it Forward universe when Lightning and Fang have a HUGE announcement to make!