My dearest Arashi,

Remember me? I would hope so, because it hasn't been that long since my all- too tragic demise. I hope I've been missed back on Earth. Especially by you, nee-chan.

Kamui pulled through, huh? Sacrificed himself and saved the world. Well, that's something I never expected, especially since I was supposed to be keeping him alive. I guess I wasn't there to help him out when he really needed me. Though, if you ask him, he'd say that it's what he wanted. At least he's with Kotori again, and his mother. That's a plus. I'm not sure if being stuck with me for eternity is a plus or not. Ha ha.

Someone up here informed me that you visited Mt. Kouya recently, and you got to see my carving. Can you say foreshadowing? Ha! I never expected that when I wrote that, several years later I'd meet you. I love fate. Even if it did lead me into death with open arms. I don't regret dying, especially if you keep living. And I mean that, nee-chan! I don't ever want to see you again until you're an old, beautiful grandma with a BIG family, okay?

I guess death hasn't really changed me much. Did you think it would? Don't answer that. I don't think you ever thought you'd here from me again. It's not every day you hear from a dead guy. Don't be alarmed, I'm not writing to you to tell you of things to come. I'm doing this of my own accord.

Now to my point. If I told you about paradise, you'd scoff at me, probably call me a fool or something like that. Well, maybe Heaven is what everyone always says it is, but I'd give up a million Heavens just for own more moment in your arms, nee-chan. So I'm in a better place, but the best place is with you. I'd rather be by your side, Arashi, watching over you forever and always. I used to wonder what it would be like if we weren't who we are. If we didn't have to save the world. If I had lived and the two of us stayed together forever. You can't tell me you never fantasized about that. But I guess that's just another one of my stupid fantasies, eh?

Well, I guess I've rambled too much already. Take care of yourself, nee- chan. I can't protect you forever, you know. Just remember, no matter what, I'm always there. Think of me as your Guardian Angel, so whenever you think of me, remember I'm always watching you. The brightest star in the sky shining only for you.

Love, forever and always,

Sorata

"Arashi-san?" Yuzuriha leaned over the raven-haired miko with a concerned look on her face. Arashi shook herself out of her trance and looked up at the younger girl. "Is something wrong?"

Arashi shook her head and clutched the letter to her chest. "No, I'm okay."

Yuzuriha straightened up and arched her eyebrows. "You sure?"

Arashi nodded, fighting back tears. "Yes." She stood up and started to walk towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

"I need some air," Arashi said softly, before vanishing out the front door. Yuzuriha contemplated going after her when a deep voice spoke from behind her.

"Is she okay?"

Yuzuriha turned to face Kusanagi and knitted her brows. "She looked like she'd just seen a ghost. I wonder who sent her that letter."

Kusanagi crossed his arms over his chest. "You don't think it was....?"

Yuzuriha turned back towards the door, her feelings of worry lifting slightly. "Stranger things have happened."

*****

The cold night air bit at Arashi's face where a few tears had managed to breach her barriers. She didn't want Yuzuriha to see her cry. Only Sorata and Kamui had seen her, and they were the only one's she'd allow to see that side of her.

Once again she looked at the letter, trying to comprehend whether or not it was someone's idea of a sick joke. But it wasn't. No one else knew aside from the other Dragons of Heaven and Kusunagi, and she knew that the crude characters scrawled across the page were Sorata's own. Then how? How had she gotten a letter from someone who had been dead for nearly three months. How was it possible.

Stranger things have happened, Arashi thought bitterly, but even the sarcastic bite of her thoughts could stop her dam from breaking, allowing her tears to flow freely, smearing the writing on the page.

She felt stupid for crying. Stupid for being so afraid of a piece of paper. Stupid for letting this dominate her life. But no matter what anyone said, Fuma had been right. She had killed him. It was her fault. And he was trying to pass it off like he had done it to himself.

And now she was speaking of him as if he were still alive. He wasn't! He was dead, gone forever from her. No matter what that stupid letter said.

"Sorata, you fool," she whispered. "You were always such a fool."

She turned her tear-streaked face to the sky and stared at the stars. Compulsively she found the Big Dipper and stared at the seven stars that made it. One shone brighter than all the others, and she found herself laughing in spite of herself. She could almost hear him telling her that he hated it when women cried. She wiped her tears away and stared at that one star for a long time.

"Even now you can't keep your eyes off of me, can you?" Arashi said with a short laugh, feeling better than she had in years.

She may have just imagined it, but for a brief moment that particular star seemed to shine a little brighter.