It was Friday night and Kita was getting ready for her first date with Nobu. The two were going out to a small club downtown for a night of drinking and dancing. Thankfully Kei was following the restraining order for now so she felt as though she could relax. She was beginning to accept the feelings she has for Nobu but she was still hesitant on expressing it.

Kita had gone out shopping with some money she made selling some drawings. She had bought a red strapless dress that hugged her small waist and loosened up slightly around her hips stopping at the middle of her thighs. A small black belt hung loose at an angle from her left side down to her right side of her hip. It had thin silver chains hanging from the belt. She sat on her bed and zipped up her black high heeled boots. She put on a small amount of make-up including red lip gloss, eyeliner and mascara.

She heard a knock on her door. "Come in." Kita called out as she walked out of her bedroom into the living room.

"Hey." A cheerful Nobu spoke as he stepped into the apartment. He was dressed in a pair of dark blue skinny jeans and a black long sleeve button up shirt which had the sleeved rolled neatly up to the middle of his forearm, but that was hidden by his black jacket that was left open. The top two buttons of the shirt were left undone. He stopped in his tracks seeing Kita. W-Whoa he though to himself.

"You look great." Nobu smiled.

"Thanks, you do too." Kita walked over to Nobu.

"Ready to go?" Nobu held out his arm which Kita took.

"Mhmm." She smiled up at him as the two walked out of the apartment. "So where are we going?" She smiled.

"I got us dinner reservations at a small restaurant then I figured you and I could go for a walk through the park." Nobu smiled.

"Sounds great." Kita smiled as she walked with Nobu.

The two arrived at a small restaurant that had a sign in front saying Open mic night.

"Oh this place looks like fun." Kita smiled as the two entered the building to be greeted by a young woman with short black hair dressed in black pants and black button up shirt.

"Welcome, table for two?" The woman smiled.

Nobu nodded as the two followed the woman to the back of the restaurant that was situated away from the busy crowd but had a great view of the stage.

Kita and Nobu sat opposite each other and each ordered a beer.

"Thank you for tonight Nobu, I have been needing to get out of the house." Kita chuckled.

"No problem, it is my pleasure." Nobu smiled his usual friendly smile.

A waitress walked over and placed two beers on the table before taking their order and walking away.

"So are you all settled in the new place?" Nobu smiled as he took a sip of his beer.

"Oh yes, its kind of strange living on my own...I mean I shut people out a lot as a kid, only getting close to a few people but that was a very lonely way to live..." Kita took a sip of her beer. The two kept talking as the waitress placed a plate of food in front of either of them. The two talked in between bites of food, talking about their childhood and common interests until they finished their food. Nobu paid the bill and the two left, walking down the city streets, Kita holding onto Nobu's arm.

The two entered a quiet park and began walking along the sidewalk.

"Nobu...I am sorry for running off that night." Kita spoke softly, letting go of Nobu's arm. She had been feeling a lot of pain in her heart over hurting Nobu. Even though she kept telling herself she loved Kei, something in her heart felt pain leaving Nobu without saying anything.

"Kita..." Nobu spoke softly before smiling. "Don't worry about that now...You are safe now and that is all I could ask for..."

"Nobu..." Kita looked up at Nobu with tear filled eyes. "I don't deserve your concern..."

Nobu suddenly pulled Kita into a tight embrace, burying her face into his chest. Kita began to sob. It was the first time she had truly cried since everything had happened. She had been trying to be strong. To prove that she didn't need Kei, or anyone for that matter but when she was with Nobu she felt so vulnerable and sad about everything that had happened. Nobu was so kind and she was just a girl with a lot of baggage that he should not have to deal with. Yet...here was Nobu, holding her in his arms. She felt safe here...for the first time in her life she felt safe with a single person.

Kita looked up at Nobu and their eyes met. Kita suddenly felt Nobu's lips against her own. She blushed and kissed him back until he pulled away.

"S-Sorry...I don't want to make you do anything you are not ready for." Nobu spoke softly, his voice gentle and sincere.

Kita smiled lightly and pressed her lips against Nobu's. The two were locked in a passionate kiss, not parting for a long time.

"S-Sorry." Kita blushed, her being the one who apologized this time only to hear a chuckle from Nobu. "D-Don't laugh at me!"

"Sorry...you just look so much more relaxed now...not as tense and afraid...Its cute." Nobu tucked a strand of hair behind Kita's ear.

"C-Cute?" Kita's face turned bright red. She was used to being called vulgar terms by Kei but here was Nobu calling her something much more gentle and kind.

"Yea..." Nobu gently took Kita's hand and the two began walking again. "Are you sure you are okay with all of this?"

Kita nodded and gave Nobu's hand a reasurring squeeze.

"We can take things slow...I don't want to make you move on if you are not ready." Nobu smiled at Kita as they walked together.

"I know...but I feel comfortable with you...you make me feel safe...something I don't think I have truly felt in such a long time...Thank you Nobu..." Kita smiled brightly as she and Nobu exited the park on their way to walk Kita home...