This story is a Ryou x Ichigo fanfic and was inspired by the song "The Moment I Knew" by Taylor Swift.

Song: The Moment I Knew by Taylor Swift

It was near Christmas Day and Ichigo was setting up the decorations for her birthday party that was going to take place later in the day. Akasaka cleared away the chairs and tables for Ichigo's party.

"So Ichigo, is Masaya coming?" asked Lettuce.

"Yup! He told me he will be flying back from England today!" answered Ichigo.

Ichigo pictured Masaya's perfect eyes and his amazing smile.

"How's your long distance relationship going? Is he cheating on you?" commented Ryou, interrupting Ichigo's reverie.

"Course not! How can you say such a thing?!" shouted Ichigo, shoving Ryou away.

"Well, we only need to put up the big banner and then everything will be in place," concluded Mint.

Ichigo set up the banner and smiled at the decorations around the room.

"This is going to be the best birthday ever!" cheered Ichigo, waving her hands in the air.

Later that day...

In Ichigo's room, all the girls rushed about to get ready.

"Ichigo! Are you done putting makeup on yet?! It's my turn!" shouted Mint as Ichigo fumbled around in the lipstick drawer.

"Here, use this one. It's called 'Strawberry Red'" said Zakuro, reaching into the drawer and pulled one out.

Ichigo uncapped the lipstick and stared at the bullet. She shrugged and applied it.

"Okay, yea, it's cool. Now, move over," said Mint, shoving Ichigo out of the pink cushioned seat.

"Can I put on some makeup too?" asked Pudding, jumping up and down in her yellow dress.

Lettuce knelt down and brushed some pink blush onto her cheeks.

"It's tickles!" giggled Pudding, inching away.

With the boys...

"Do you think Masaya will show up? He's been in England for five months and barely calls Ichigo," questioned Ryou, looking at himself in the mirror.

Akasaka smiled, "I'm sure he will show. He cares about Ichigo a lot."

"Sure, he cares about her," waved off Ryou.

"I know you like Ichigo, okay? I see the way you look at her when you think no ones looking. Why even bother asking about Masaya if you don't like him?" Akasaka fired at Ryou.

"Whatever, she's too in love to notice anyways," said Ryou, walking out of the door.

Akasaka thought, "He'll think of something to win her heart."

That night...

Ichigo entered Cafe Mew Mew and noticed the room was flooded with a magical pink glow.

"When will Masaya come?! I'm so excited!" shrieked Ichigo.

"Don't get your hopes up," stated Ryou as he walked past her.

"What's that supposed to mean?" wondered Ichigo.

Ichigo leaned on a table trying not to crush the flowers on her magenta dress. She glanced around the room and her eyes rested on Ryou Shirogane. She thought to herself that she couldn't like him. He was a jerk and she had a boyfriend already. Ryou was dancing with one of Ichigo's best friends. The blonde teen noticed her staring and came over to her still holding the brunette's hand.

"What is it, baka?" shot Ryou.

"Nothing... Hi, Miwa!" Ichigo greeted her best friend.

Miwa broke away from Ryou and the two girls went to talk alone. Miwa's cheeks were bright red.

"Awww! So how was Ryou?" teased Ichigo.

"Shut up! He's a great dancer, did you know that?" Miwa gushed, hiding her face in her hands.

A memory flooded into Ichigo's head.

The lights filled the room with an iridescent glow. She stared as the blonde teen stood in front of her in his evening attire.

"It's a party, so enjoy yourselves," said Ryou.

"Wuaaahh... This looks like a real dance party!" gushed Ichigo.

"It IS, a real one," commented Ryou, crossing his arms

"Would you two care to join?" asked Akasaka kindly.

"I can't! I've only fork danced before at the PE festival!" stuttered Ichigo, waving her hands violently.

Ryou walked over and grabbed her hand, "I'll teach you."

"H-hey!" argued Ichigo, bounding after him.

Ichigo stumbled and accidentally stepped on Ryou's foot. He winced.

"Sorry!" apologized Ichigo.

"Get closer. Loosen up," instructed Ryou, holding her waist.

Before she knew it, they were waltzing on the dance floor together.

Ichigo blinked a few times to clear the image of Ryou Shirogane from her mind.

"Um... Ichigo? I said he's a great dancer," repeated Miwa.

"Oh, yea, mhm.." mumbled Ichigo, looking up at the ceiling.

"Alright, daydream about Masaya as much as you want," said Miwa as she walked away to meet another one of Ichigo's best friends, Moe who was dancing with Akasaka.

Ichigo looked at the clock that hung on the wall. It's 8:00pm, Ichigo wondered to herself about how Masaya should be here by now. She peeled her eyes away from the ceiling and realized a blonde teen was still standing in front of her.

"Hey, Ichigo," he started.

She shot,"What?"

"Where's Masaya?" asked Ryou, sounding serious.

"I honestly don't know... He should be here by now..." Ichigo stated sadly.

"Maybe your special someone is standing in front of you right now," mumbled Ryou, before walking away.

"Wait! What?" Ichigo heard what he said, but wanted to hear him say it again.

She didn't understand why he said that, let alone why he sounded so serious. Ichigo was standing around for another hour, refusing to dance with anyone because she wanted to have the first dance with her boyfriend. Mint hurried over.

"Ichigo? Where's Masaya?" wondered Mint.

"I don't know..." Ichigo answered bluntly.

"Lettuce! Zakuro! Pudding!" called Mint, waving her hand as Ichigo continued to stare at the floor.

"Maybe Ryou's right... Maybe he is cheating on me..." Ichigo wondered aloud, jumping to conclusions.

Zakuro overheard Ichigo's last few words, "When did you start believing what Ryou said?"

"What if he's right?" gasped Ichigo.

Zakuro stared at her, "Stop that."

"He said he'd be here!" Ichigo's voice cracked.

"And he will be... I think," said Lettuce, the last few words softened into a whisper.

Pudding had zoned out for the last couple minutes, "Huh? Ichigo, where's Ma-."

Mint clasped her hand across Puddings mouth.

"I SAID I DON'T KNOW!" shouted Ichigo as she stood up and walked towards the washrooms.

Mint sighed and all the girls followed Ichigo.

"Ichigo!" shouted Lettuce.

"He said he would be here..." mumbled Ichigo, collapsing to her knees.

With Ryou...

"Ryou, why did you say that? You are such a goof!" Ryou insulted himself over and over again.

Akasaka walked up to him, "So! How's Ichigo?"

"I made a goof of myself. I danced with one of her friends until she couldn't stop giggling and then I went up to Ichigo and declared how her special guy is standing right in front of her," explained Ryou.

The boys heard many shouts of "Ichigo!" and glanced towards the origin of the shouting. Ichigo was running towards the washrooms with all the girls trailing in her wake.

"What?" wondered Akasaka.

"Girl problems?" replied Ryou.

"He said he would be here..." Ryou heard Ichigo say as she crumbled to the ground.

"Masaya?" wondered Akasaka.

Ryou nodded, "Probably, that jerk didn't even bother showing up to Ichigo's birthday party!"

"Well, Ryou Shirogane, now is your chance! Go win her heart," concluded Akasaka, pushing Ryou towards the girls.