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And right with him, always by his side, was Sasami. Things had changed since those early days of being the cheerful little girl. While she was still that way as she grew up, she became stronger, talented and, in a way, useful. Her powers were still growing, still changing. Even though she was still nowhere as powerful as she once was with Tsunami, she was powerful in her own right.

And even during all that, one thing stayed the same - she was an excellent cook even after all those years.

"Negi..."

"Sasami." Smiling, he crossed the threshold of the home that they called home and he took her in his arms, hugging her as he kissed her firmly. "You're cooking again tonight? I thought it was my turn," he said with mock disappointment.

Sasami let out a chuckle after returning the kiss. "Well, you're always busy, so..." Pulling away, she headed back to the kitchen, stopping briefly as Ryo-Ohki raced by in her child-like humanoid form. "Woah...! In a hurry...?" she laughed.

"Well that is true," said Negi, grinning as he followed her towards the kitchen. "It didn't stop me from picking up some filling for a quick-bake pie at least."

"Training sessions are going well," added Negi as he went to the cupboard to pull some plates out. "The new kids are adapting to life on the ship."

"I'm glad to hear that." Sasami said, checking the meal she had prepared. "It's funny - after all this time, you'd think we'd never get used to this and yet here we are..."

"We're like a married couple," remarked Negi with a light laugh. "But then again, since I moved in here and all..."

And into her room. It had taken the girls a lot of time to come to grips that their innocent sweet little Sasami had a live-in boyfriend.

"Ooh, boy... that's been fun." Sasami said, a hint of defeat in her voice. Even after her sisters accepted the fact that Negi was living with her, there was the fact that they (along with Asuna) was busy making sure Negi didn't do anything inappropriate.

She'd talk about the whole marriage thing, but she'd know those six (seven?) would try to squash it in a heartbeat!

"Yeah. I get the idea your sisters are working in league with Asuna. The eyeball Reimi gave me this morning when I walked out in jammies was proof enough." Said Negi with a sigh.

Like Sasami, he deftly avoided talking about marriage, even if the pair wanted to. It was getting to the point that they'd have to do so in secret.

Sasami let out a sigh and shook her head. "Reimi-nee..." she uttered. "I hope one day they'll understand. I know they mean well, but it's getting kinda silly...!"

She approached Negi once more, taking his hands in hers. "I know you wouldn't do anything and even if we did, it's better to wait a bit longer..."

"They watched us grow up. It's hard seeing us being responsible adults... sleeping in the same bed... yeah." He blushed and rubbed his head with his free hand, his thumb running along her hand.

"About that... you know that mission I went on with Ed a while ago? We got something for you. Or rather he chose it. I have no sense in this kind of stuff."

Ed had returned from the pods recently and set to work, and even with the shock of his little kid friend being all grown up again, he had supported his relationship. Pulling it from his pocket, he held it out -- a glittering crystal-etched bracelet. "It's a betrothal bracelet from a famous wedding planet. I thought of you when we were there."

Sasami couldn't help but gasp at the bracelet. "Oh, my... it's so pretty." she uttered, moving to take the bracelet. It took her awhile to realize what he had said.

"Wait... betrothal bracelet? Wedding planet?" It had been ten years since Sasami and Negi went to that world and while Mindy had been all up in arms, using the time there as reason to watch over her, she'd thought it was just silly. And now...? "A-Are you... or...?"

Maybe she was thinking too much into it. Negi wouldn't be... would he?

Negi smiled, moving to hold it out and fix it on her wrist. "Sasami don't you remember what day it is? It's the day we first met, down to ten years ago precisely. Remember how awkward we were as kids? It helped too that Mindy was always hovering over you, tormenting you as a kid before you two became good friends."

"But... yes, if that's what you're thinking. Wearing one of these is as good as getting married on 3/4ths of the Bleed worlds. If you want it, I'll put it on you." added Negi. "It's only right, considering we live together."

An English gent to the last.

Ten years ago... had it really been that long? But, then again, how could she forget? Two awkward kids trying to find their place in this silly ship, brought together through their desire to protect others.

She nodded at his request, letting that count as a yes to the other question as well.

"Ten years, Negi... I still remember the day that followed - you were so lost and angry that it scared me. The only thing I could do was to try to snap out of it." Her free hand moved to lay on his cheek. "...I don't think I ever fully apologized for hitting you, then, did I?"

Negi chuckled at that last bit as he moved to fix the bracelet on her wrist. "Ten years and I still remember that slap, full of emotion and grace. I'm glad you slapped me back then, I was such a kid."

"I guess I really do like girls who can put me in my place," he added with a hint of a grin.

Sasami couldn't help but chuckle herself. "Now, Negi. You know I don't mean to be like that. I'm just concerned, that's all." As Negi finished fixing the bracelet, she let her hand take one of his.

"You've meant a lot to me since that day and you still do..."

"Well I do get into far too much trouble at times," admitted Negi as his hand slipped into hers.

He smiled at that. "Same here. I..." He rubbed his eyes, brushing a little bit of the dampness there. "Sasami Masaki Jurai... will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

Sasami heard that question and, as much as she wanted to hide them, she let those tears of happiness run down her cheek. To hear that question after all that time.

"Negi... Negi-kun... yes!" she said, pulling herself towards him and hugging him tightly.

Negi hugged her back tightly, clutching at her. This is what he had dreamed about ever since picking up the bracelet. No, more than that. He always wanted this and for ten long years, childhood friendship and infatuation turned into real blossoming love.

"We're... going to have to tell your sisters," said Negi with a soft laugh. "And Asuna too."

"Oh, dear..." Sasami uttered, laughing herself. "I don't know if they're gonna be happy about this or want to start a riot over this."

She knew they'd be happy, but as protective as they have been in those years, well...

"They'll probably threaten me in their own way," admitted Negi. "You know how big siblings are. I dunno what's worse, the impending violence from Asuna and Reimi, Starfire's wedding plans or Aqua's LOOK. You know that look."

"Eheh... yeah, that's... not a good thing." Sasami admitted. She knows that look. She's been in those crosshairs plenty of times, mostly because she overworked herself when she was younger and it took a few of those to get it through her head not to.

"Though, in the end? I think everything'll be just fine..." she reassured.

"I think so too." And he leaned in to give her a kiss, glad Chamo was nowhere near the area. He was probably off with Larry, the pair having become fast friends after the initial rocky start.

"Took you two long enough."

Of course there were no hard feelings: Mindy had given up on going after Negi a long time ago, his gentle nature well suited for the quirky yet more mature Sasami. And Mindy would be aspiring for strength still: a demon soon to be overlording soon, with a consort of her own.

But she still had time for her favorite two friends (yes, she still jokingly called them her husband and wife.