The streets had never been more crowded, as children ran around, their laughter helping other people smile even as they dodged them. Festival decorations were all over the place, and booth owners encouraged everyone to take a look at their products.

In the midst of it all, a familiar blonde can be seen waving off a crowd of teenage girls, who merely giggled as they dreamily stared after him.

"Oi, lover boy."

Ruka was pleasantly surprised to see Natsume, who didn't look happy at all. "Natsume! I thought you didn't want to come?"

"Hn." Natsume said, placing his hands in his pants' pockets as Ruka ran over to walk next to him. "Imai threatened me- ah, that's right, it's Nogi now, huh?"

Ruka blushed scarlet. "The wedding's still next week!" he spluttered, though he did calm down slightly as Natsume merely smirked at him in response.

"Don't worry, calling her Nogi feels so stupid, I'll still call her Imai. I just needed to take a picture of you spluttering around for her." Natsume casually replied, one hand putting back a phone that Ruka failed to see.

Ruka just groaned, knowing that he could expect a few more pictures of his humiliation to be waved around by his fiancée later.

"Natsume-kun! Ruka-kun!"

Both turned around at the familiar voice, spotting a heavily pregnant Nobara being escorted by Rei, who looked to be torn between watching over his wife, or glaring at the people around them for any threats.

Both men opted to wait for Nobara to reach them, or more accurately, Natsume decided to just wait, and Ruka had no choice but to stay back with him, as he saw Natsume glare at some piranhas—girls—waiting at the corner of his eyes, and had to do some damage control.

Nobara smiled at them both, her usual embarrassment being overtaken by sheer joy of being pregnant. Rei, if possible, looked even stiffer, though he did bow in greeting at the two men, who reciprocated the action.

The group of four walked slowly, the piranhas subsiding slightly when they saw Nobara in their group. They exchanged stories as they approached their destination, Rei sharing some of Nobara's weirdest cravings, and Ruka asking for Nobara's tips on pre-wedding jitters.

"Ah! That's right, where's Hotaru-san?" Nobara wondered.

"We're picking her up now." Ruka chuckled. "You know how she is. Wouldn't let them out of her sight, even if she had to give up a chance of selling some more of her stalker pictures."

Natsume snorted. "They can't be called stalker pictures if you live with your stalker, Ruka."

Ruka cried out in disbelief, but was ignored by Natsume as he spotted Imai. Imai turned her head slightly, waving them over. When they reached her, Natsume handed out his phone, which she took with a smirk, as she stepped to the side towards Ruka, who merely rolled his eyes in defeat.

Natsume only had eyes for the woman before him, however. She was carrying a two-year old baby, with a full head of raven hair. She turned, smiling at him blindingly, and the baby in her arms yawned before blinking open warm, golden eyes that he inherited from his mother.

He reached out for his father, who smoothly plucked him out of his mother's arms, and settled down with his head nestled near Natsume's shoulder. Holding his son on one hand, Natsume reached out for his love, who placed a protective hand over her 3-months pregnant stomach. They kissed softly, chastely, before Mikan turned to greet Nobara and Rei.

Natsume settled, watching over the group as his son slept on. He may miss the times when it was easy to send back the pack of piranhas with a simple will of his mind to set fire on the tips of their hairs. But he wouldn't ever regret exchanging it with the life he has now.

Mikan's necklace slipped out of her dress, dangling on her neck, where a rainbow-colored stone caught the light of the full moon.

And briefly, the moonlight beams on the necklace flashed blue, before fading away to the silvery light it usually was.

-END-

A/N: It's done! Whew! I really didn't expect for this story to take so long, but I'm glad it's over now. I might have some ideas on the story before the war, but sorry this really won't get a sequel or anything. Thank you for staying with me until the end! To all that had reviewed, I apologize for not being able to mention much of you guys anymore, but please be assured that I love every single one of you for taking the time to write me a message! Thank you very much!