The air had a salty odor to it and the bright sun offered a comforting warmth below. That repetitive but cathartic sound of the waves crashing against the sand put them at ease. The squawking of the seagulls above made them just a bit more relaxed as they thought about their hard-earned day off. Thanks to the warm sun above, the sand below was warm to the touch and gave their feet a much different sensation than that of the sidewalk or the usual hardwood floor. While they walked together, the cool water would sometimes brush over their feet, hardening the dry sand. It couldn't have been a more perfect day. 

Asia carried a few chairs and a beach ball but was a bit unsatisfied considering that everyone seemed to be carrying more than she was.

She lost her grip and almost dropped the chair, but a familiar figure caught it at the last moment. 

"You're sure you don't need my help?" 

"I-I'm sure!" said Asia in a determined voice, "I'll do my part, Issei!" 

Issei laughed for a moment and then motioned for her to catch up with the rest of the group. 

Meanwhile, a watchful eye scouted for the perfect spot to make camp. 

"How about here? It's got a perfect view of the water!" 

"Everywhere's got a perfect view of the water..." 

"Hush now, Koneko! I'm exhibiting my special talent!" 

"Beach picking? How riveting, Akeno." 

"I think it's great!" 

"Thank you, Rias!" cheered Akeno, shooting a small glare at Koneko, "I knew I'd pick great!" 

"Is this where we're stopping? Here?" 

"Sure is, Cardboard Vampire!" said Issei, "Man! What a beautiful day!" 

"I'd say. It's almost as if the universe wanted us to come here today." 

"I didn't think of it like that, Kiba... But now that you mention it, I think you might be on to something!" said Asia. 

"Hold on... Are those two still up there?" asked Rias, peering through her hand at the cliff in the distance. 

"Yeah... I think they are..." said Akeno, trying to look as well, "Oh well! Let's let lovers be lovers and get this beach party started!" 

____________________________________

She wore a flower crown in her hair that he had made for her. 

He played with her blue hair as her head laid on his chest. 

A smooth breeze carried through, moving the beautiful white flowers on the cliffside. 

The two looked out to the expansive blue sea in front of them. 

"What do you think is out there?" he asked, "Beyond the sea?" 

"A faraway land... A place where we can live together in peace," she responded. 

"I would like that..." he whispered. 

She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. 

"One day," she said, "We'll have a house beyond the sea, and live the rest of our lives together... You and me..." 

"I would like that..." he whispered once again. 

"I would like you..." she muttered, kissing him again. 

He cupped her cheek and let out a sigh. 

"How could I have been so lucky? To find someone like you?" he asked. 

"How could I have been so lucky?" she said, running her hands through his black hair, "To find someone to love a person like me?" 

He couldn't help but smile at that. 

He truly was lucky. 

____________________________________

"Xenovia! I thought you'd never come down from there!" said Issei, greeting his friend. 

"You two sure took your time..." said Koneko, "Thanks for letting us set up all by ourselves..." 

"Hardly the effort considering what we've been through. Wouldn't you agree, White Sound?" 

Koneko growled at the nickname that he had given her. 

"I thought you said that you and Koneko had made up?" asked Xenovia in a bit of a stern tone. 

"What can I say?" he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head, "Old habits die hard!" 

"I wish you would die hard, stupid monkey..." Koneko muttered. 

"I heard that, idiot cat!" he said. 

After a bit, Asia was able to gather them all together for a photo. 

"I saved some of my money for a nice camera like this!" she said, "I'd love to take a photo of us when we're all together... Something nice to have to remind me of you guys..." 

"You're talking like you're going somewhere!" said Issei, "Wait, are you going somewhere." 

"No," she said, "I just want something that we can all look back on when we're older and the times have changed... Something to remind us of the good old days. 

Placing her new (and expensive) camera on its tripod, she pressed the timer and hurried over to the rest of the group. 

"Say Cheese!" 

____________________________________ 

In contrast to the warm sun, the bright moon brought a chill with it, forcing a fire to be made. 

Everyone sat around that fire, talking and eating with each other as they look to the crescent moon. 

"I've been wanting to get something off of my chest for a while now." 

Everyone's conversations stopped when he spoke, leaving only the waves to speak as the slowly rolled up and down the fire-lit beach. 

"I just wanted to say... How grateful I am of you guys..." 

"Meeting everyone and... just you guys being there..." he said, trying to find the right words, "...Have healed me... I can say for certain that you guys are the best thing that's happened to me." 

"Each of you has helped me in more ways than you can imagine. You've helped me get past some dark times... I've had one too many of those... All of you have been there in the best and worst of times, sticking with me... Even if I never deserved it. Everyone here means the world to me..." 

"I love you all."