" Happy birthday Hotaru!" My friends yelled at me as I entered the class.

" I told you guys it's tomorrow," I replied.

" Ya but the party is tonight, or at least the public one is," Renji winked.

" Nothing is wrong with wanting to spend time with my boyfriend for my birthday," I said as I sat. " Speaking of parties I don't remember asking for one."

" Just a little not so surprise party we set up," Orihime said happily.

" So where are we going?"

" That's the surprise!"

" Nothing too extravagant ok?"

" It is very minimal on the cost but high on the fun!" Rukia said confidently with a thumbs up.

I laughed as Ichigo walked in and the bell rang. " So where are we going tonight?" I muttered as I leaned towards him.

" Orihime swore me to secrecy," he replied and straightened up as the teacher came in.

I grumbled but retained my smile. I put my foot out halfway across the small distance of the aisle and Ichigo did the same until our feet met up. It's been a few weeks since we returned home from the Bount encounter and Ichigo have gotten so close to one another. We're just like one of those couples I used to make fun of. We hold hands, drink from the same cup, and do all that other cutesy shit. I make myself sick on how adorable we are sometimes. But I wouldn't give it up for the world.

Tonight I have our group party obviously but tomorrow Ichigo was all mine. We were going to a spring temple festival with games, food, and fireworks at the end. I was so damn excited! Not just for the date but for the events afterwards. I was going to ask Ichigo to… do it. With Hidan I rushed things in order to come across as mature and sexy. But with Ichigo I wanted to give myself to him to show how much I loved him. The day flew by as I actually paid attention for once before the bell rang to go home.

" Can I at least get a hint on what to wear?" I asked as I packed my bags.

" Something… fun!" Orihime said before giggling and walking out.

Well that could mean literally anything. I sighed and rubbed my brow until a hand rested on my shoulder. " Ready to go?" Ichigo asked.

" Ya let's get going," I agreed. Ichigo and I left class together and his hand subtly went down to my waist. I smirked but kept looking ahead. This was a usual act at this point but that it still sent chills of happiness up my spine? I loved it. I saw some track uniforms ahead and saw Arisu at the front. " Hey Arisu," I said stopping him.

" Hey Hotaru. Still one more week until the first meet," he said hopeful.

" Nice uniform I'll think about it."

He smiled widely and nodded before catching up to his teammates. " Friend?" Ichigo asked as we continued on.

" Acquaintance at best. No need to worry."

" I-I wasn't!" Ichigo stuttered.

I laughed as he blushed and looked down. I stepped away slightly to take Ichigo's now loose hand into my own. We both sent a small smile to one another before making our way out the school. " I'll meet you at the party tonight then?"

" Sounds great," Ichigo said and leaned in for a kiss before we both went separate ways.

Now what the hell am I going to wear tonight? Auntie gave me all those nice clothes might as well put them to use. I got back in time to find Renji putting on a button up and jeans as I looked him over. " Like what you see?" he asked suggestively.

" You're wearing somewhat nice clothes meaning I should dress up at least a little," I replied, ignoring his comment completely.

" So what are you and Ichigo doing tomorrow?"

" You know that one temple a few blocks from the park? Going to go on a nice date there. And I even have a real kimono for the event! Ichigo's going to flip when he sees it."

" Sounds like fun. I'll be sure to leave the house empty tomorrow for any after date activities," he said with a wink.

I groaned as I made my way upstairs as Renji laughed. After shutting the door I opened my closet and remembered exactly how many of the clothes Auntie gave me. You could dress an army with how many outfits she gave me. " How was school?" Kuro asked from my bed.

" Fine. Just getting ready for the weekend now."

" Well have fun I guess," she muttered.

That might be the nicest thing she's said to me yet. I rolled my eyes at the thought then began to pull out dresses from the closet until I couldn't even see the ground of my room. Too short, too long, too black… I don't even know what this is but not good. Just when it felt like I had put every dress back in the closet one stood out. The sleeves were black lace connecting to a short but not too short black dress that revealed almost the entirety of my back.

This is perfect. I jumped in the shower and blow-dried my hair, even put on makeup, before getting out and putting the dress on. " Oi you almost done?" Renji shouted up the stairs.

" 5 more minutes!"

He groaned loudly making me laugh. I put on a simple pair of black heels before opening the door. Everyone was waiting downstairs, or at least Orihime, Rukia, Renji, and Ichigo. Orihime and Rukia wore very simple, pastel colored dresses and I immediately realized I was over dressed. " Wow Hotaru you look amazing!" Orihime said too excited.

" I think I'll go get changed real quick," I mumbled as I turned.

" Nope we're going to be late," Renji said and in two quick steps grabbed my hand to stop me. " Come on Ichigo say something!"

" You look… incredible."

I looked over my shoulder to see Ichigo staring at me almost in awe with a faint blush on his cheeks. " Well… if you say so," I mumbled, now also blushing.

" Great let's go! The others are waiting," Orihime said excitedly. Everyone made their way out to a waiting taxi that took us into downtown Karakura.

We got out at our mysterious destination and I did my best to hide my dismay. Karaoke. There are few things I dislike in this world and one of them is public singing. Sing in the shower? Yes. Singing in your room by yourself? Yes. Singing in public? No. I did know that in Asian countries Karaoke was a bigger deal than back in America but I honestly thought I'd never go to one. Until now. Everyone excitedly headed in while I followed after.

It's fine you don't have to sing Hotaru. You can just sit back and let everyone else sing. Just keep shoving your face with food and laugh so that no one will bother you. Orihime opened a door and I peaked in, surprised to find everyone from our class there. " You ok?" Ichigo asked as he sat beside me.

" Ya just… I'm not a big fan of public singing. But it's fine! Orihime is really happy and as long as the food is good then it doesn't really matter."

" Well… as long as you're sure."

I reached over and hugged Ichigo's arm. " Really as long as you're here then it doesn't matter."

He blushed making me laugh. The night went on with people singing, relaxing, and chatting as much as they pleased while I sat back and ate. " Hotaru you haven't sung one song!" Orihime whined a few hours later.

" Ya I did. You know that uh one song that's really popular right now?" Orihime pouted and handed me the music selection device. I sighed and scrolled through. I barely listen to Japanese music yet I had to pick one of these songs? Oh wait I know this one! It was a group song though. " Orihime, Rukia can you two be my backups?" I asked.

They both jumped up just as the last person finished their song. The three of us grabbed mics then stood. Oh god everyone was staring and cheering. I gulped and selected the song, Shojo S by Scandal. Everyone seemed pleased as I sang along while I did my best to hide my face that grew more and more red. There were happy cheers once the song was over and I sighed in relief. Ichigo stepped up and took my hand before taking me outside the karaoke bar. " What was I that bad?" I asked.

" I just had the feeling you wanted to leave."

" Oh thank god no more singing," I said then fell against his chest.

Ichigo laughed and hugged me softly before kissing the top of my head. " It's getting late want to head home?"

" Sure. Want to walk?"

In response Ichigo reached down and took my hand before carrying on in serene silence. Ichigo was everything I wanted and more. He read me like a book and for once it was something I didn't have a problem with. " Sorry tonight didn't go expected," Ichigo murmured as we walked through the park.

" It's fine I still had fun. Watching the others make fools of themselves was great."

" Uryuu DID get really into that one song."

The memory made us both laugh as we slowed by the playground. " Hey let's head up," I said and pointed to the jungle gym.

" Are you sure-" Ichigo began but I was already climbing. He sighed with a smile and shook his head then followed after. " I'm surprised you can do anything in those spiky death traps," he said in reference to my heels.

" I know they're a major pain, literally," I said while kicking them off and into the sand. " Ah that's nice!"

" You're not really the black dress type."

" No but I thought we were doing something kind of nice tonight. But I also wanted to look nice for myself. Don't get to dress up very often."

" It really is a very nice dress."

I kept looking down to avoid Ichigo's gaze. He reached out and grazed the top of my hand with his fingertips before planting them firmly and leaning towards me. Immediately I looked up and met his lips in a hungry kiss. I loved Ichigo and I wanted to be with him more than ever. I turned on the bar and pulled Ichigo to me, laying back against the top of the metal box. To try and indicate what I wanted I wrapped my legs around Ichigo, pulling his hips down to meet mine. He pulled his lips away in shock. " I-Ichigo I-"

His phone rang. We stayed still for a moment until the phone rang out again. Ichigo sighed and sat up then answered the phone. " Urahara what do you… now? But I'm with…ya, ya I get it. Ok see you in a few."

Ichigo hung up and rubbed his face. " What's up?"

" Urahara needs me for 'something'," Ichigo said annoyed.

" It's fine you can go."

" I'll walk you home first."

I scoffed and jumped off the jungle gym, landing a bit shakily I the sand. " I think I can handle a few blocks on my own."

Ichigo climbed off and met me on the ground. " Sorry. Just you and me tomorrow ok?"

I leaned forward and pecked his cheek. " Better be," I murmured in his ear before pulling back.

Ichigo's blush was just too damn cute! I smirked then made my way towards home. He's right tomorrow it will be just the two of us. I don't think I've ever been so excited for a birthday before. Oh tomorrow hurry up and happen already!

Ichigo POV

I pulled my tie off as I entered Urahara's shop. That was way too close earlier. The way Hotaru looked up at me as she had her legs wrapped around me. I almost… I blushed deeply at the thought. I felt lately Hotaru wanted to take things a step further and now more than ever I've been open to it. I loved Hotaru more than anything, knowing her for less than a year and wanting to spend the rest of my life with her the obvious sign. I carried a small, happy smile on my face as I headed into the basement finding Urahara, Yoruichi, and a television like object showing a captain's meeting on the other side. " What's up Urahara?" I asked.

" Just a little meeting is all Ichigo. Do you remember the child Bount that went missing?"

" The one Hotaru fought?"

" Yes. They believe she's been found."

" After further examination of the crater Hotaru's attack left behind we found traces of the book and even a few hairs embedded in the ground," Mayuri said.

" So Hotaru did take her out."

" So it would seem," Urahara said.

This was great news Hotaru would be happy to hear she stopped the girl. " Ok well great meeting. Now if you'll excuse me-"

" For what purpose did you bring Hotaru to Sereitei?"

I paused in my steps at Urahara's question. " We wanted more concrete information on the Bount from a first person perspective. She was also there for the earlier battle that day," Head captain's voice rang out.

" But the shinigami you sent over reported back everyday. Not only that but you could have done that through these little cell phones," Urahara said while holding up the very phone. " So again, what was your true purpose for brining Hotaru over?"

It was quiet for a few moments. " A human girl should not wield the powers of the Sokyoku. We were determining how well she was controlling her powers."

What? " Hotaru is our ally, YOUR ally and you don't trust her?" I shouted.

" I don't trust a frail human body with the Sokyoku. Mayuri?"

" After examining the girl's samples from the first and most recent visit to Sereitei her overall temperature has increased by 20 degrees. Her body and powers have grown stronger as well as demonstrated by the footage of the fight I had made. I expect her powers to keep growing steadily. She should be considered a danger to everyone around her."

" Hotaru can control her powers she's shown that before!" I shouted frantically.

" The child means no harm to anyone," Captain Ukitake said intervening.

" Yes. You had us watch over her to judge her character right? The girl simply wants to protect the human race in particular her friends. There is nothing that needs to be done," Captain Shunsui mentioned.

" Enough. We have prepared a device to fully shut down her powers. The question is whether or not we think it should be used. Mayuri has concluded the powers are dangerous but the girl is not according to Ukitake and Shunsui. All in favor on controlling the powers?"

A majority of the hands were raised. " You can't do this!" I shouted.

" We won't be. Urahara you received the device that was sent yes?"

I looked over at Urahara and saw his hat cast a shadow over his face. " I refuse to use it."

" If the device is not used within 24 hours then WE will handle the job. Good night."

The screen clicked and I stood there in shock. " They can't do this to her. Hotaru's powers mean everything to her! And without her powers-"

" She most likely won't see the hollows anymore," Urahara said spinning on his heel. " Isn't that what you wanted? For her to stop fighting? Now she can finally be safe from all of this."

" What the hell is wrong with you? This is taking away something embedded in Hotaru's being by force! We can't do this!"

Yoruichi scoffed. " What are you going to do about it Ichigo? Fight the entirety of Sereitei to stop it?"

" If I have to!"

" Enough!"

Urahara stepped back with a small box in his hand. " Please do SOMETHING Urahara!"

" I'm afraid I can't. And you know just as well as I do that you can't do anything either except comply with their demands. Give this to Hotaru tomorrow. She trusts you enough to accept it."

" Please, please don't make me do this."

" I'm sorry Ichigo but we have no choice."

Urahara didn't even meet my eye. I could tell he was just as upset by this as I was. I clenched the box in my hand and stormed out. Hotaru please forgive me for this.