I was blushing something awful as I walked into the training grounds where Kouga was working with some of the lower-class soul reapers. He saw me and called for a break, much to the relief and cheers of his trainees.

"Akalia," he greeted, once I'd walked over. "What's got you so embarrassed?"

That just made me blush even darker as I looked to the side.

"I just realized I've accepted a date to the festival, including the dance," I answered quickly, my words seeming to rush together. "And I forgot that I don't know how to dance."

After a few seconds, he finally puzzled out what I'd said… and started laughing.

"Seriously?" he asked, making me blush even darker as he laughed again. "Oh, Akalia!"

"So, with that in mind, can you save me from further embarrassment?" I asked, finally looking at him.

"You could always cancel," he suggested, making me flinch. He chuckled. "Okay, okay. I'll teach you how to dance."

I sagged in relief and hugged him tight.

"Oh thank god!" I breathed. "You're a life-saver!"

"Great," he teased. "Now I'm hard AND delicious!"

I blushed darkly… and so did he after a moment, realizing what he'd just said.

"I was talking about the candy!" he said quickly, making me laugh in embarrassment. After a few seconds, he started laughing too.

And people wondered why everyone loved Kouga.

After having gotten so worked up over that call, I had a hell of time calming my nerves for Sosuke's arrival in ten minutes. My mind was swimming with questions, especially questions about Sosuke.

I paced back and forth, trying to push those thoughts away so I could enjoy the evening, but for some reason I could not. They kept tormenting me, torturing me.

"Akalia?"

I jumped nearly out of my skin, my hand going to my heart.

"Goddess, Sosuke! You nearly scared me to death!"

"What's on your mind?" he asked, concerned. I struggled for a while. "You can tell me. You always can tell me."

Ah, hell with it…

I told him about his captain's warning… then about the subsequent inability to get it out of my head. He had listened as I'd paced and told him, had said not a word… though now he wore a slight frown.

"Do you really doubt me?" he asked, his voice quiet.

"No!" I answered immediately… only to frown. "Yes… I don't know, Sosuke… Part of me doesn't…"

I shook my head, feeling terrible.

"And I feel guilty about thinking such things about you," I admitted. "You're my best friend!"

Suddenly, I could hear his heartbeat, could feel the warmth of his body as he wrapped his arms around me in a hug. There, in his arms, I could feel my uncertainties melt away.

"Sosuke…" I whispered, then burrowed my head in his chest, wrapping my arms around his waist. "Forgive me."

"There's nothing to forgive," he assured me. "Though I should ask you to forgive me as it was my fault for asking you to get to know my captain. Had I not, he would not have placed such vile thoughts in your head."

"I mean, I know you're no saint," I said quietly. "Lord knows I've seen you slaughter people just because they were no longer of use… but you've never been that way to me… I'd like to think that I, at the least, can trust you… just to be you… even though I know that you will hurt me, too."

"I do not intend to," he admitted, resting his head on my own. "But I know I will without meaning to… and for that, I will always ask you to forgive me."

I nodded and looked up at him. His brown eyes looked down at me, his glasses gone for the night. I never understood why he even put them on when he didn't need glasses.

"Are you ready to go, my dearest Akalia?" he asked me softly. I nodded with a smile, taking the offered arm as he led me out of my quarters, down the street, and over to the festival.

"Red?" asked Kit, looking surprised. I was dressed in a black silk kimono, dark red lining the sleeves, seams, and pockets. I had my hair up in a birdcage, braid bun, my make-up done sparsely, my earrings crimson dragon eyes set in gold. I'd also worn a pair of sandals that gave me an extra inch of height but that was it.

"Whoa… I might need some water cause you are smokin'!" Kit teased me. I blushed and smiled softly.

"Now that I think about it, I never did take a good look at you," Sosuke stated quietly. "You're always so beautiful, no matter how you're dressed."

I blushed darker as he let his eyes ghost over me.

"That kimono suits you perfectly, my dear," he told me. "It's almost as beautiful as you."

Then he kissed my hand, making me blush darkly again.

"Sosuke…" I protested, half-heartedly, embarrassed. He chuckled and relented.

"Are you hungry?" he asked me. I nodded and he smiled, leading me over to the food stand, put on by the women's association. Standing behind the counter was the captain of squad 12 and her lieutenant.

"Some rice balls?" the captain asked warmly.

"Please," Sosuke answered, gratefully buying some for us. I blushed when he held one up to me, holding it in such a way that left no doubt that he was NOT actually giving it to me. The look in his eyes also confirmed this.

Slowly, I took a bite and made sure to nibble his fingers as I slid my mouth away from the offered edible. He smiled, telling me that had pleased him greatly, as he took a bite out of the same ball as well. Having finished my bite, he offered me another one. The rest of those rice balls were eaten the same way, him feeding me and me blushing with every bite.

As we walked on, occasionally stopping to enjoy games, I could hear the comments left and right.

"Is that Lieutenant Aizen? Who's his date?"

"Who the hell is she?"

"Aizen's looking delicious tonight."

So far, no one had truly recognized me.

"Sapphirano?!"

The incredulous shout got nearly everyone's attention, including Sosuke and I's. We both looked over to see Cimorene. She looked downright scandalized.

"What's a freak like you doing in a place like this?" she asked, her voice full of venom. "Oh, don't look at me like that. You can change your clothes, do your hair… but you'll always be a freak. What illusion did you use to get Aizen here with you? Clearly he is NOT in his right mind."

Sosuke's arm went around my shoulders, though I could feel his anger in the light grip he had on my shoulder.

"Sosuke," I said softly, pleadingly. "Just let it go."

I knew he could hear the hurt in my voice, knew he knew how deeply her words were cutting me.

"Akalia!"

My eyes snapped over to see Kouga coming towards us with his wife.

"Glad you made it," he said, smiling softly.

"I knew that kimono would look good on you," his wife said softly, making me blush.

"Yes, thank you," I told her. "But your beauty far outshines my own. Kouga's lucky to have you."

She glowed at my praise and smiled warmly.

"You are too kind," she told me, then pulled her husband away. He went with, shooting me a grin and a wave. I smiled softly.

"Aizen," greeted the next voice. This time, it was Captain Hirako. When Hirako turned his gaze to me, he did a double-take. Then, in highly exaggerated fashion, he pulled me close and hugged me tight. "Oh, my young beauty! You got all dressed up just for me? I'm flattered!"

I was well past scarlet now, trying to push him off of me.

"You're a fitting beauty for my first love!" he went on, making my eyes widen and my blush darken. There was no way he was serious!

SMACK!

He went flying to the side as a sandal nailed him in the cheek.

"Get off of her, you damned pervert!"

The lieutenant of squad 12 stood there, huffing in annoyance.

"Don't let it get to you," the Captain of squad nine said, walking up. "He calls all the pretty girls his first love."

I blushed even darker, realizing this guy had just called me pretty, too. He realized it a second later and blushed lightly.

"I meant girls HE thinks are pretty," he quickly stammered. "His tastes and mine are COMPLETELY different!"

That stung a little.

"I think you protest too much," Sosuke told him calmly. "I won't blame you… Akalia is very beautiful."

My blush darkened, knowing that look in his eyes. He'd been very serious when he'd said that.

"Sosuke…" I protested quietly. "You're embarrassing me…"

He just smiled and chuckled at me.

"Shall we head for the dance?" he asked me, pulling on a mask. It was only to cover his eyes, but gave him the look of a black wolf.

How fitting. Anyone that knew him as I did knew he fit that mask perfectly. He was a wolf in sheep's clothing, a man that appeared calm and kind… but in truth was not. I knew Sosuke loved to manipulate people around him… but I couldn't ever recall a time when he'd done anything of the sort with me.

Slowly, I pulled on my own mask. Mine also only covered my eyes. It was covered in black sequins and accented with red feathers. I had no idea what it was supposed to be, but it had matched my kimono so I'd taken it.

"A perfect touch," Sosuke told me and I took the offered arm, letting him lead me to the dance. There, he pulled me straight to the dancefloor and started to waltz. We were catching eyes all through the room as he danced with me.

"They're all staring at us," I whispered, blushing darkly. Sosuke chuckled.

"I had forgotten there was anyone else here," he told me, his eyes telling me he'd meant that as well. "Akalia… I—"

"Mind if I cut in?" asked Captain Hirako, appearing in a white and gold mask.

"Actually, I do mind," Sosuke answered, not that Hirako heard as he pulled me away, having me dance with him. Even my objections fell on deaf ears.

"Captain—"

"Shinji," he corrected me immediately. "No sense in being all formal when we aren't in a formal setting anymore."

"Fair enough," I conceded.

"I want to apologize," he told me. "Can you forgive a suspicious old man?"

I nodded.

"I'm sure I can," I answered him. "You were just looking out for me and I appreciate it… but I hold no illusions about Sosuke. I know he's no Saint… and it's because I know this… that I trust him. I already know he will hurt me, thus I have no reason to fear its coming."

My words seemed to have taken him back a bit.

"You already know…" he repeated slowly. "I see."

I danced gracefully with him, neither of us saying a word for a while.

"Do you know what he's up to?" he asked finally. I shook my head.

"Sosuke never tells me," I replied softly. "It's not that he doesn't trust me with it, or so he says. It's because he doesn't want to get me involved… He's always been like that, looking out for me first."

I shook my head with a smile.

"Lately, he keeps saying he's going to make sure that no one makes fun of me ever again," I stated, then changed the subject. "You never answered me, earlier. What other things interest you?"

He shot me a grin, relaxing. I knew he'd realized I'd changed the subject on purpose.

"Well," he said, starting to think. "I like beautiful women."

I laughed.

"That's obvious!" I teased. "With you calling every beautiful woman your 'first love' it was easy to see."

He grinned and spun me around, before pulling me back.

"And you?" he asked. "What kinds of things do you like?"

I smiled softly.

"The arts," I answered. "I've always had a deep passion for them, be it reading, writing, painting, drawing, plays, dancing, or music… I love it all."

I chuckled, seeing as to how he seemed to have already known that.

"Another like from you, mister," I prodded teasingly. He grinned.

"Comedy," he answered.

"Figures," I stated. "I always wondered where you got your material from."

He looked flabbergasted and I laughed.

"Don't worry," I assured him. "I know your material is semi-original."

"Only semi?" he asked, exaggerating his surprise just to make me laugh again. Then he calmed and smiled. "Who all do you have for friends?"

"Well, guess I can count you," I teased and he winked. "Then Sosuke, Kit, and Kouga."

"That's it?" he asked, surprised. I nodded, my smile falling away.

"It's… my eyes," I said finally. "They weird people out… and I get made-fun of a lot because of them. Then there's my zanpakuto. It goes against all the rules of the Soul Society…"

I shook my head to push those thoughts away.

"Why did you become a Soul Reaper?" he asked, changing the subject. I smiled, grateful, and he smiled back, letting me know he'd done it on purpose.

"I didn't want to," I answered honestly. "I had no desire to fight or to harm others… but I couldn't let Kit join alone. When he decided he wanted to be one, I just followed. I've never been without him by my side, so I couldn't just ignore what he wanted. Thus, here I am."

My reply seemed to take him off guard yet again.

"Why did you become a Soul Reaper, Shinji?" I asked. He grinned.

"It was so long ago… we old people tend to forget why we do a lot of things."

I laughed, realizing he'd evaded answering me again.

"You can't be that old!" I objected, laughing. He grinned.

"308 in May," he answered me, making my eyes widen.

"What day?!" I asked, excitedly.

"The tenth," he answered, seeming curious as to my excitement.

"No way! Mine's the ninth!"

Now his eyes widened.

"You're kidding!" he said. I shook my head and laughed.

"Who'd have thought?" I asked, laughing again. "So, that makes you a Taurus, too… Interesting."

Then I did some calculating…

"And you're a tiger, yes?" I asked. He nodded, seeming surprised yet again. I laughed. "How ironic…"

"What are you?" he asked.

"I'm a horse," I answered. His eyes widened for a moment again, before he laughed.

"Definitely ironic," he agreed, steering me into another dance, laughing after glancing around. "I think Sosuke's trying to burn holes in my head."

I laughed.

"Sounds like him," I agreed. "He really doesn't like you, Shinji… probably no more than you like him."

"Your birthday is in two weeks," he commented suddenly. "Have any plans?"

I shook my head.

"I never bother," I answered. "Only Kit and Sosuke ever show up… and I really don't want to make a big deal outta nothing…"

"Your birthday is not 'nothing'," he argued. "I'll plan you a little party, okay? A few friends that could easily become yours, too."

I sighed with a smile.

"And this is one way you are very like Sosuke," I said ruefully. "No matter what I say, you're going to do it anyway, aren't you?"

He just grinned and I knew I had my answer.

"Captain, I'm gonna cut in and take my date back," Sosuke said, pulling me away from Shinji. I giggled and let Sosuke whisk me away. "What on earth was he talking with you about?"

"Likes and dislikes, why we became Soul Reapers, and our birthdays are right after each other," I answered with a smile. "He's also bound and determined to give me a party. He's just like you. When you two decide something, come hell or high water, you'll see it done."

Just like Shinji, it appeared Sosuke did NOT like being compared to the other. Those two really didn't like each other… which made no sense to me. They were both so much fun! They should get along swimmingly!

"What were you saying before we got interrupted?" I asked. Sosuke smiled.

"It was not important," he replied. "Are you having fun?"

I nodded with a glowing smile.

"Best date ever!" I answered, making his smile grow. "Will there be more like this, Sosuke?"

His eyes widened momentarily.

"You want… more dates?" he asked carefully. I smiled and nodded.

"This is the most fun I've had in years!" I told him. "I never get to go out with friends like this! And I definitely don't get to spend much time with you anymore, Sosuke. Ever since you became a lieutenant, you've been so busy…"

He frowned apologetically.

"I'm sorry for that," he told me. "I just have a lot of work to do—"

"I know," I told him with a small smile. "Shinji told me."

His eyes flashed at the use of his captain's first name.

"I just miss spending time with you like this… just us," I admitted softly. "For a while there, I thought I was losing you…"

Now a flash of pain crossed his eyes, though he forced his expression to remain unclouded by his true emotions. I'd noticed that he did this a lot, hiding his true thoughts and emotions.

"I thought… you were going to leave me behind," I continued softly, looking at his chest as I could no longer look him in the eyes. "I know I can do without you… I just don't want to…"

"If things work out right, you'll never have to," he assured me, tilting my head back up to look at him. We had ceased dancing the moment the conversation had become truly serious. Now we stood in the midst of several dancing couples, just looking at each other. "I promised you that, soon, no one would ever make fun of you again. Now I make you a second promise; I promise I will not abandon you, that I will always be here for you, Akalia. No matter how busy I get, I will MAKE time just for you."

I blushed and smiled, touched.

"Sosuke…"

Wordlessly, I hugged him, glad to feel his warmth surround me.

"You're the best friend ever," I told him softly. "You make me so happy… just by being you."

He said nothing, just continued to hold me for a few minutes.

"Would you like to end this evening with a walk?" he asked me softly. I nodded, taking the offered arm as we slid out of the ballroom. With a warm smile, he started to lead me around the Seireitei. It was always so beautiful at night.

"Sosuke, will you finally let me throw you a birthday party this year?" I asked teasingly. He sighed dramatically, making me giggle.

"I suppose you can," he answered me, making me stop in mid-step, I was so surprised.

"Seriously?" I asked, making sure. He nodded with a warm smile and I whooped, jumping up to hug him around his neck excitedly, laughing. "Yay! I'll start planning now! There's the cake and the location, the guest list and theme—"

"Akalia!" he interrupted, laughing. "I'm sure it will be perfect!"

I smiled brightly and nodded.

"But of course!" I answered. "It's for you! Anything less would be an insult!"

He chuckled and continued our walk. Occasionally, we'd hear music playing or the tell-tale signs that someone was having a good time. Finally, though, we ended up in front of my quarters.

"Did you have a good night, Akalia?" he asked me softly. I smiled and nodded, leaning up to kiss his cheek, making him start in surprise. I'd never done that before.

"Thank you for tonight, Sosuke," I told him softly. "It's nice to know I can always rely on you to be there for me… and to make me happy."

I hugged him softly, then turned back to my quarters.

"Goodnight," he told me softly. I turned back and smiled at him, pausing with the door half-open.

"Goodnight," I replied, then vanished within.

He was right. Now I knew the difference between a pity date and a real one.