Eventually they reached the hall the event was held at. Fuyuhiko parked and they all entered together. As they walked up the steps they passed by a sign next to the entrance. It read:

Lovers Night

If Peko was honest, it still hadn't fully sunk in that she and Fuyuhiko were an item now. It gave her a warm tingly feeling that was kind of scary, and at the same time rather exciting.

Many couples were already inside dancing to the music. It was currently a slow dance song.

"Wow, this place is so nice! No wonder they booked it for this dance shindig!" Sonia said, awe evident in her voice as she watched all the couples.

The slow song transitioned into another as if perfectly timed for Kazuichi's attempt to be smooth.

"And we get to dance here." He said, facing her with a small bow and holding out his hand. "Can I have this dance?" It was odd seeing them not covered in oil and muck. He smiled wide, showing his sharp razor teeth that only Kazuichi could pull off.

Sonia accepted and the two of them joined the others already dancing, leaving Peko and Fuyuhiko by their lonesome. Together.

Peko could feel her heart start to race as she glanced around the room, avoiding his gaze.

"I wonder if anyone we know is here." Peko said, hoping to postpone him asking her to dance. She had wanted this for so long and here she was stalling for time.

"I suppose it's possible..." Fuyuhiko murmured moseying around her so he could see her face. "Peko, are you actually scared to do this?" He asked, his voice soft and eyes full of concern as they searched her own.

Well shit

"W-well... maybe a little." She murmured. She had only danced with herself and one time with Sonia so she knew some basics. But she was afraid to actually try in a romantic environment. She didn't want to mess this up. So yeah, she was worried and unsure of her ability. And that was scary.

It would be different if this had been a "protect your young master" event.

"Peko, look at me." Fuyuhiko requested. She met his eyes and examined his face. "We didn't come here for anyone else. We came here for you to have fun and so I could enjoy it with you. For us. Tonight is ours Peko, let's own this shit." Peko smiled, her heart warm and fuzzy. He always knew what to say to motivate her.

"Alright then. I suppose we can try." Peko said with a nod, and grabbed Fuyu's hand.

Another song started playing as they readied themselves. Hands positioned, and exchanging loving looks. Fuyu smirked.

"Good thing Sonia didn't take you up on that bet." He stepped back, leading the dance. Peko nodded, keeping time.

Wise men say only fools rush in

Peko began humming the song she'd listened to many times before. Fuyu pulled the hand around her waist tighter, drawing her in close. The fear she felt moments before melted away as she moved. Now light as a feather in the wind.

But I can't help falling in love with you.

The soft piano in the background complimented their slow turning steps, and Peko couldn't help but smile. This was everything she had wanted.

Oh, shall I stay, would it be a sin.

This moment. This small quiet moment. Just the two of them in an intimate embrace. It was perfect. Nobody else's stares mattered, none but his. His handsome smile showed, and she was walking on air with happiness as they swayed.

"Oh, if I can't help falling in love with you." Peko sang softly.

"I love you too, Peko. I always have." Fuyu whispered back. She blushed.

"Young master..." Peko murmured.

"Ah ah ah. Peko please."

"Fuyuhiko..." She corrected herself.

"Much better... Peko, my name sounds so damn special when you say it." He spun her out gently, and she spun back, her heart still racing.

"I feel the same. You're the only one who makes me feel that way..." Peko replied, rubbing the back of her hand against his cheek. He clasped his hand in hers as it laid against his face. She blushed but wouldn't break her gaze. Not tonight. Not again.

After that slow dance, the music sped up for a while making the dance floor more passionate and energetic. Peko soon tired out and she had to go sit down. Fuyu followed her and sat down beside her.

"That was a lot of fucking fun. Kazuichi even got what he asked for." Fuyuhiko chuckled.

"Yeah it was," Peko said, placing a hand in his before continuing, "Tonight has been wonderful I mean, look at them go." She smiled and glanced to Sonia and Kazuichi who were spinning around and moving so energetically. They showed no signs of stopping anytime soon.

"Yeah. I think we should wait for another slow song to hit. Take a break 'til then." Fuyuhiko suggested.

"Agreed." She replied, removing her hand from his and wiping her forehead of sweat.

"Would you like some water, Peko? They got a table of refreshments over there." He pointed to a table to the right of them. She nodded.

"Yes, that would be wonderful." He stood up with a smile, and Peko watched him make his way over there. Peko glanced back at the dance-floor seeing the two still rather cheerful and exuberant, moving to the fast-paced beat effortlessly.

Peko had to admit that it was mesmerizing to watch, but she turned her attention back to the returning Fuyuhiko easily.

"Here you go, Peko." He said, handing her a glass. She took it and sipped it. It wasn't water, but juice was fine enough. She glanced behind him to the table of beverages.

"No water I suppose?" She asked. As soon as she looked over she noticed a man standing all by himself, and when she met his eyes, he reached for a glass and glanced away.

Not only did Peko find it odd someone was alone at an event made for lovers, but she hadn't seen him dancing all night. So what was he there for if not dancing? Perhaps the bad feeling she got was nothing.

"Nah, but I'll go somewhere and get you some water after this if you want... something wrong?" Fuyuhiko asked. She met his eyes and smiled.

"Ah, no. Thank you for getting me something to drink. She glanced back to the man unable to shake her feelings. Just one last time to tell herself it was nothing. And that was when it happened.

"Young master!" Peko shouted as she dove into him, pulling him to the floor as a gunshot ricocheted through the hall. Screaming ensued and people scattered.

"What the actual fucking hell?!" Fuyuhiko cursed as Peko lifted herself off of him.

"I apologize but he would have killed you-"

"No that's fine, Peko. I'm referring to the fact we are being shot at in general!" He fumed, still laying on the floor as they took cover behind a nearby table.

"He is obviously here for you young master. Maybe one of your deals didn't go as well as you planned. Either way, we need to get you out of here." Peko said, her voice now cold and angry. How dare they interrupt her first date?

"Ah, I guess you're right. Damn it! We can't go anywhere without clan associated pricks up our asses!" The gunman proceeded to shoot at the table. Bullets assumedly ricocheting and becoming more potentially harmful to bystanders the longer they stayed.

"We need to find the others and get out of here. Hopefully we can lose him in the car and everyone here will be safe." Peko stated. Fuyuhiko shook his head.

"Peko, we'd be endangering Sonia and Kaz- we can't do that!" Peko sighed. He had a point.

"Fine then. You're my priority. And I'll do what it takes to protect you. Find Sonia and Kaz and get out of here. I'll take him on so you have time to escape and he doesn't hurt anyone else here." Gunshots paused as he was assumedly reloading. "Now go!" She shouted hopping over the table.

"But Peko-"

"I said go!" She shouted back at him, as she rushed behind another table and kicked off her heeled boots. When he stood up to go find the others she stepped in front of the gunman's line of sight and simply stood there.

The gunman aimed at her, growled, and pulled the trigger. Peko winced and groaned as the bullet hit her in the shoulder. She fell down to her knees for a moment, but immediately stood back up.

"You're gonna pay for that. Y-you just got blood on my date-night dress." He grimaced at her and raised his gun again, this time she rushed toward him and slid at the last second under the refreshment table. He made a noise in confusion and scrambled to pull up the tablecloth as she snuck out quietly and launched herself at him.

He fell to the ground with a thud and his gun slid across the floor.

"Peko!" Fuyuhiko's voice called to her from the entrance to the hall. Almost everyone had evacuated the building and assumedly he had met up with the others. They were all probably concerned about the gunshot.

Peko couldn't leave yet though. This man was still struggling against her hold and determined to kill his target.

But Peko could never allow that. She threw a few good punches at him before she stood him up, and while he was disoriented she thrust him against the wall. He collapsed against it unconcious. Peko was out of breath from the sliding and adrenaline wore off after the last few moments of her fighting.

Her head began spinning and she attempted to steady herself against the tables edge only for her sweaty hands to slip, causing her to fall. Her vision blackened. The last thing she felt was familiar arms and the last thing she heard was her name.

It sounded pretty special.