The Kurosaki-Kuchiki engagement celebration commenced in mid-afternoon. Both families stood before a public crowd, to accept acknowledgment the betrothal of two family members. Clad in exquisite and detailed traditional kimonos, Kurosaki Ichigo held Kuchiki Rukia's hand and presented her to the crowd as his fiancée.

Momo and Izuru stood among the people, accompanying Shuuhei who was working at the moment with fellow journalist and his date for this evening's celebration, Reiko. This public meeting with the noble family will be in tomorrow's paper, as will be the more private get-together being held tonight within the Kuchiki estate. Shuuhei was lucky he got an invitation, connections are quite useful for such big events like this. Although, he wasn't too sure if Kuchiki Byakuya would be pleased at all that his party will be featured in the paper.

During the middle of the procession, Momo and Izuru agreed to come home for the time being, in order to get ready for the party. The plan was, he would pick her up come nightfall and they would take a carriage there together.

At five, the sky began to darken. Momo had Rangiku come over to her quarters so they could prepare together. Rangiku helped her get her hair up into a more elaborate bun held together with small sparkling flower-shaped diamond brooches, and her likewise pulling Rangiku's strawberry-blonde hair into a thick braid that fell onto her shoulders. Rangiku's kimono was a dark blue with white thread embroidery that tells of a winter day. And Momo's was a dark emerald with flowery prints and both cuffs and sash golden.

As they both stood in front of the mirror, fixing minute details to fill their time as they waited for their dates, Rangiku confessed that she felt quite nervous.

"It's no big deal, really, but…we've never been in this kind of set-up before," she said as she reapplied color to her lips. "He's my captain. He's my friend. But this is a date. What are we allowed to do that won't complicate our other forms of relationship?"

"Is dating your captain not allowed?" Momo wondered.

"They'll think I seduced him. Lonely woman on the prowl for hot blooded young men."

"Oh, please," Momo said with a look of disdain. "I assure you, Shirou-chan may be a man now, but he is a gentleman and I know no other better company for a lady."

"Save for Izuru?" Rangiku said with a sly smile.

"Well…on par."

"Of course, seeing as you're entrusting yourself with him tonight." Rangiku faced away from the mirror and grinned at the flushing face of the younger girl. "When did that happen?"

Momo groaned and dropped herself on the couch.

"Careful, your dress!" Rangiku said.

The carved jewelry box that was a gift from Izuru was on her table and she looked affectionately at it. Rangiku sat beside her and she shrugged. "I don't know how it happened," she said. "I don't know how it began. But for some reason, over time, it's like…he and I changed to fit. In my eyes, he became a better person, though he seems the same."

Rangiku frowned.

"What?" Momo asked with worry.

"Well, if that's all it is…"

"What do you mean?"

"Momo, you two work well together. You'll probably have a great relationship if you do hook up. What I mean is, does he give you the butterflies? Because the butterflies count."

"My heart beats so fast when he's there, it's like forgetting to breathe -"

"No, no. Butterflies, as in, when he touches you…" Rangiku looked at her meaningfully. "Just a simple touch on your shoulder. Does it linger? Does it make you queasy? Does it make you want to lunge at him?"

She didn't want to say it, but, "Sexual feelings, Rangiku?"

"Gotta have butterflies."

"No!"

"Why not?"

"He's my friend!"

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Rangiku called out in a sing-song voice.

"It's me!" came Toushirou's reply.

"Don't come in, give me a minute!" Rangiku called back. She hurried up and went in front of the mirror again, smoothing the fabric of her kimono. "Okay, come on in!"

Toushirou opened the door and stepped in. Just as he looked up, Rangiku turned around to his direction. Even Momo admired how beautiful she was, so it was no wonder that Toushirou turned pink and immediately began a course of conversation unrelated to the party whatsoever.

"Do you have some water? I'm parched."

Rangiku's face turned sour as she picked up her purse. "Dating etiquette, Taichou, you compliment your date, especially when they do look good," she said forcefully. Rolling her eyes, she went to Momo to give her a hug. "Oh, and as for our conversation, either you stay friends, or you're doomed a dull, possibly childless marriage."

Toushirou tilted his head in wonderment at her words.

"Gotta have butterflies, baby," Rangiku declared before hurrying to her captain's side and linking arms with him. "We'll see you later!"

Momo limply lifted her hand and waved weakly. "'Bye."

She could hear Toushirou inquiring about what Rangiku meant and the other ushering him to mind his own business as they walked out the door.

"Gotta have butterflies," she repeated thoughtfully. Walking in front of the mirror, she studied herself. And she wondered, could she evoke butterflies? Pulling on her kimono, she lowered the v-line across her chest. Rangiku did try pulling it earlier, but she had pulled it back up. Studying it further, she must admit, a little cleavage did look okay. It was nothing too illicit. Then she pulled on the back collar to show a little more neck. And carefully pulled on a couple of short curly strings of hair from her bun and let it fall to her shoulders.

"Now think," she said to her reflection. "Think of an icon. Big doe-eyed Audrey Hepburn? Or sultry fleeting looks à la Marylin Monroe? Or should I do both and just switch it up from time to time?"

Another knock came on the door, this time she knew was for her. She glared at herself in the mirror and stuck out her tongue. "Thanks for nothing!" she whispered.

Hurriedly, she grabbed her purse from the desk and started for the door, turning off the lights as she went. When she opened the door, Izuru had been about to knock again and his fist stopped on its way to her forehead. She blinked and began laughing.

"About to hit me there, did you?" she said between chuckles.

"Yeah…Stopped myself just in time." Izuru looked her up and down, and let out a breath. "Well, then again, you look like you could stop traffic."

"Lame!" she exclaimed, laughing again, though deep inside, she felt giddy. She stepped out and closed the door behind her, and because he didn't step back, she found herself standing really close to him.

"Really," he said, his voice deep. "You look…" He thought but ended up smiling instead. The poet out of words? Did a little show of skin really have this much effect on men?

During the carriage ride, it was awkward at first, but he stared so much she began to bask in the attention and acted out, even. Pretty smiles, delicate laughs, fluttering eyes. And the talks. They couldn't help but talk only about the party.

"It's a bonfire party," Izuru said. "Very atmospheric."

"Romantic," she added.

"It's an engagement party, after all."

"Who do you think will get together by the end of the night?" she wondered.

"Drunk on liquor and blinded by fantasy?"

"You don't know, some people might genuinely like their date."

He nodded. "Yeah," he said. "I just hope it's not an odd couple we'll all take a long time to get used to."

It took thirty minutes to get to the Kuchiki estate. Izuru helped her get down from the carriage, holding her hand until both her feet were planted steadily against the pebbled walkway. They entered through the gate with her hand on his arm, and they were soon greeted by friends.

The bonfire was a spectacle. It reached ten feet high, the sparks jumping higher still as if touching the starlit sky. The crackles filled the air, mixed with people's chatter and old stereo music.

Shuuhei brought them both punch, spiked, of course. From afar, they could see the couple Ichigo and Rukia speaking with other guests.

"Don't worry, they'll come round," Shuuhei said, before turning to his company for the night. "Reiko, let's get something to eat. I'm starving." And they both sauntered off to the buffet table.

"Are you hungry?" Izuru asked.

"I haven't had anything to eat all day," she said guiltily.

"You wanna grab a bag of barbecue and just walk around?"

She smiled brightly and nodded. "That's a good idea," she said. He took her hand and led her the same way Shuuhei and Reiko went. They stocked about ten pork barbecue sticks in a brown paper bag and walked around the estate garden. Along the way, they came across Ichigo and Rukia and they offered congratulatory greetings. The couple eventually excused themselves so they could address the whole crowd.

Everyone gathered. It became so crowded so quickly that Momo didn't notice until Ichigo and Rukia began speaking, that Toushirou and Rangiku had come up to stand beside them.

"Having fun?" Rangiku asked.

A couple of people pushed against them and Momo was prodded forward, spilling some of her drink to the unknowing person in front of her. She stepped back, biting her lip.

"Relax back there, hey?" Izuru said behind his shoulder to the fussy people at the back. He took Momo's drink in his other hand, which was already holding the bag and his own drink, and with his free one put around her shoulder to bring her in closer.

Rangiku caught Momo's eyes and Rangiku wiggled her eyebrows teasingly.

"I didn't mean to," Momo muttered to Izuru, talking about the victim of the spill, who still didn't know he was spilt on. Izuru only smirked and shook his head while giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

They stayed like that for a good ten minutes. It felt so short. She couldn't really remember anything Ichigo or Rukia said, all she really knew was Izuru's muscles were quite noticeable underneath his thin summer kimono. A heavy arm and firm grip. This is what being in a warrior's arms felt like.

And it just occurred to her: they were on a date. Even Toushirou linked arms with Rangiku, minimal it may be compared to others. Not like Izuru had never been touchy-feely with her before, but tonight was different. Tonight she was fragile, and he was the only one who can protect her.

They sat on a bench as the party progressed and many friends passed by and said hello. And many topics, long and short, funny and sad, were covered. Well into the party, the hours passed. And this is what she meant. The comfortable, compromising relationship she liked so much. But she couldn't help wondering about the butterflies.

On the next bench sat Kurotsuchi Nemu all by herself. She looked out into the party blankly, as is her usual expression. Still, Momo couldn't help wondering why she was alone.

"Would you ask Nemu to dance? She looks a bit lonely," she told Izuru.

Usually, Izuru's a nice guy and would do whatever favor is asked of him, which is why it was such a surprise when he shook his head.

"Why not?"

Izuru ignored her and waved someone over from afar. Momo looked and saw Yamada Hanatarou walking towards them with a worried look on his face.

"No," Momo whispered.

When Hanatarou reached them, Izuru tilted his head toward the oblivious Nemu. "Make yourself some company, Hanatarou-kun," he said. "Ask the girl to dance."

Hanatarou looked at Nemu thoughtfully, then sighed. "I suppose I should," he said, before transferring to Nemu's bench. A little while later, both he and Nemu walked toward the bonfire to join the throngs of dancing couples.

Momo covered her mouth with her palm to stifle her laugh and looked at Izuru, who just smiled triumphantly. "Why couldn't you have just gone yourself?" she asked.

"And leave you?"

"I suggested it, I would be okay."

"Not right to just leave you, though."

"You're extra sweet tonight."

"I'm always sweet," he said charmingly. "Well, to a select few, anyway."

"Glad to be one of 'em."

"Besides, if there's anyone I should be dancing with, it's you."

"Is that you asking me to dance?"

"Honestly, I don't want to dance, but I still will if you want to."

She gasped and hit him lightly on the arm. "That's not how you invite a girl to dance!" she exclaimed. She shook her head in disbelief, then looked slyly to the side. "I don't want to dance, anyway," she said.

This time it was him who shook his head. "Then what did you hit me for?" he said. "Sheesh."

"Shut up."

He merely laughed.

Shuuhei and Reiko passed by, Shuuhei giving them a thumbs-up. "You guys getting hot yet?" he called out to them.

"Idiot," Izuru said, leaning back on his seat.

"What?" Momo asked.

"No, just…"

"What, that made you uncomfortable?"

Izuru shrugged. "It's nothing. Just…" His eyes began darting.

"What?" Momo asked again, forcefully this time.

"Your…" Izuru motioned to her front with swift hands. "You might want to pull up your kimono higher. It's been getting lower."

Momo looked down and saw a significant amount of chest. Her kimono must have loosened a bit. She sighed and pulled it tighter around her. "Sorry," she said, embarrassedly looking away.

"Oh, no, I liked the view," he said.

She raised an eyebrow.

"But if other people are seeing it, then it's not good," he added hurriedly.

She raised another eyebrow and coolly smiled.

"I don't know what to say anymore," he said.

"You're flustered."

The smile faded away now. From afar she saw Rangiku and Toushirou retire from dancing and approach a bench. On the other side of the garden, Shuuhei and Reiko were taking pictures or notes of the party. The gates were open, a carriage was waiting for whoever is exiting next. It's been fun, really, but all of a sudden, Momo didn't want to play games anymore.

"Do you think we could go home?" she asked, but already stood up before Izuru could answer. She began walking down the pebbled walkway, scarce of people, toward the gates. Izuru hurried after her.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, speeding up to catch up with her. "Is it something I said?"

"No. Well. Maybe."

"I'm not gonna look there again, I promise!"

She couldn't help but laugh. "That's not it."

"Then what is it?"

"I don't know, Izuru," she said. "It's kinda big."

"Well, will you let me in on it?"

She continued walking, until they were well out of earshot of everyone. Then she let Izuru pull on her arm and stop her before she could go any further.

"I would really appreciate it," Izuru said, pulling her body to face him, "if you told me what's up."

"You were turned on, yes?" she asked.

"Excuse me?"

"Just now. When my breasts were on the verge of showing, and you didn't tell me until somebody else finally noticed."

There was a confused look on his face, but to get to anywhere, he would just have to go along.

"Do you honestly want an answer to that?" he asked her.

"Yes, and to every question, too."

"Oh, there's more to come, is there?"

"I'm still not hearing anything from you," she said with disbelief.

"Women's breasts, Momo!" he exclaimed, trying as best he could not to speak too loudly. "Of course it would turn me on."

"It was mine!" she hissed.

"What's your point?" he asked.

"And we have been flirting, have we not?" she continued.

Izuru sighed. He was not even going to try to figure this out anymore. "I believe I was, though I'm not sure if you have been," he said, more calmly this time.

"Have you, at any point during tonight, thought of…kissing me?"

Now this. This one he had to be more careful of. Was it an honest question? Or an invitation? Momo wasn't about to give it away. It took him a whole thirty seconds before emitting some sort of sound.

"Did you?" she asked.

Izuru shrugged. "Yes," he said quietly. "More so now."

"If I let you," she continued, not skipping a beat, "will you?"

He intently stared at her.

Her hand raised up to clutch at her heart. "Will you?" she repeated.

"Maybe." He shrugged again, then looked away. "If you let me, yes."

There was a staggering effect from his words, but she wasn't done yet. Bottom line was, and she said it out loud, "Then you'll take responsibility when I say I love you?"

He stopped and looked at her. The wind seemed to have been knocked out of him. She waited patiently for an answer, but he was no longer going to speak. As it became more evident, her usually bright eyes became more hopeless and less searching.

She held back tears. Shook her head, looked away. But with an ounce of courage, she looked him straight in the eye. "So you're scared to fall in love, but you're okay losing a friend over a fling?"

"Don't say it like that, it's not -"

"No, you're full of bullshit." She didn't give him a chance to speak, just left. Chasing after her would have made a difference, if only by a little. But even that, he didn't do.

She didn't know how it came from there to here. This is why she had been stalling, and she wished she continued to do so. How embarrassing. How incredibly stupid of her. Centuries have yet to pass, but this is already engraved in their memory. How sad, to think, if there'll even be any more memories following that.

A/N: I know, late update. Sorrryyyy... But I made it longer than usual! I hope it didn't seem to drag. That's what I'm worried of for this chapter, I can't seem to break it down because every event is so different.

And...did anyone see any couple hints yet??? But I won't tell which ones really are, and I'm not going to indulge them either. So let's leave it all to our imaginations, shall we? ;)

I'm going to finish this fic with a few more from the Momo/Kira plot and hopefully I'll figure out a way how to bring Hisagi Shuuhei back. That guy just doesn't get enough love.

Anyway, hope you all enjoyed this chappy. Please continue to give this fic lots of love; don't forget to review! Take care! ^_^