The First Date

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Hotaru Kuchiki opened up a spirit gate in a place called 'Tokyo.' She had heard Asmoskon mention Tokyo before. She assumed that he had to be either from this place or visited it quite often. She stepped out of the gates and walked onto a rooftop. She looked around the city and saw that it was completely different from Karakura Town. It was nice to see more of the world, but to see how much cities have grown in seven hundred years... It was definitely a sight to behold.

She jumped down and walked through the streets. She didn't have a Gigai this time, so she didn't worry about running into people. She knew that Asmoskon had to be around here somewhere, so she decided to go to a place that was like the first place they met. She continued walking through the city till she found a small park. It was a nice place, with a lake as well. She walked over to the lake and looked down into it. She really wanted to see him and hoped he would find her here. She tried to walk around enough that he would pick up her reiatsu signature. She sat down by the lake and waited.

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Riding throughout Tokyo was the majority of Asmoskon's life while in Tokyo. It was a Saturday morning and although Asmoskon had little more desire than to simply sleep and relax for once in his life. The young Quincy had raised early and gone out shopping gathering the needed food and other essential items for the small apartment he rented. Although it was still only near mid day currently Asmoskon had been rushing throughout the day blindly. He had only stopped three times in total.

The first being for the items that he required for the next week of life. While the second had been to stop some random man from assaulting a woman. This had cased Asmoskon a small bruise on the right side of his face from a punch. It hadn't been but a moment before others aided Asmoskon in sending the man away due to the fact that he wouldn't use his true strength against such an individual. The third time had been back at his apartment in order to place everything away.

Now Asmoskon was simply out riding on his motorcycle. His helmet covering his face while he analyzed ever action of drivers and citizens in front of him as he drove. Although Asmoskon wanted nothing more than to protect others and be a good person it was ironic by how fast he drove through the streets. Often drifting around corners or screaming from joy at the exhilaration of such a thing. The smile and joy of his carefree face faded instantly however as he picked up the reiatsu of a Shinigami within Tokyo.

It had only taken a few moments for Asmoskon to recognize the signature of the reiatsu that he sensed. It was Hotaru. One of the few individuals that Asmoskon could actually refer to as both an ally and friend. Although during their last mutual partnership of survival and duty Hotaru had revealed that she had a deeper compassion toward him than he had thought. It wasn't that Asmoskon didn't see the Shinigami as appealing or enjoyable to be around more simply shock that one would reveal it to him. However, Asmoskon had been thinking over the few encounters that he had gone through with Hotaru and in every single ne of them Hotaru had shown that she believed and lead his own life similar to Asmoskon's.

Changing the course of his advancement Asmoskon begins to ride toward Hotaru's reiatsu. Asmoskon found himself leaping over a small hill within a park. Searching throughout the park Asmoskon skidded to a stop a few feet away from Hotaru. Taking off his helmet as he stepped from his motorcycle and placed the helmet on the bike seat. Turning toward Hotaru and beginning to walk toward her Asmoskon smiled sowing slightly nervousness. "Hey there Hotaru What brings you too Tokyo?"

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Hotaru felt his reiatsu before she saw him. She was glad he was able to find him. She looked up and smiled while Asmoskon came closer to her. She stood up and brushed herself off. "You bring me to Tokyo, Asmoskon. You're the only reason I'm here." She smiled but it soon faded. She noticed that he had what looked like a bruise on the right side of his face.

She ran up towards him and took his face in her hands. "What happened, are you okay?" A look of concern flashed across her face when she saw it. She didn't like friends getting hurt, especially Asmoskon. She looked over his face to make sure that there wasn't any more bruising. She then gave him a light kiss on the cheek where he had his injury. She hoped it would make him feel better.

She then took a step back quickly and started to blush a little bit. "I'm sorry if that was forward of me Asmoskon. I just couldn't control myself." She looked at him and then motioned for him to follow her towards the lake. She wanted to fill him in on all that has happened to her while they've been apart. "I came to see you and I also wanted to fill you in on what's been going on with me."

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Asmoskon smiled while blushing slightly from the rush of blood to his face as Hotaru expressed why she had come to Tokyo. Asmoskon was caught off guard as Hotaru approached rather quickly. As she raised her hands to his face Asmoskon attempted to step back only to stop as she asked the question as to how he came to be injured. "It's nothing really just had to take the blunt for someone else is all." In all truth that was the fact Asmoskon had allowed himself to be hit in order for the woman to get away.

Asmoskon's blood rushed to his face and is heartbeat increased rapidly as Hoaru's face approached his own. The feeling of her soft lips pressed against his cheek made the Quincy shift awkwardly for a moment. In all truth Asmoskon hadn't actually had any time to grow accustomed to the natural connection of sexes. He had never asked a girl out on a date or even been kissed besides Hotaru once before toward the end of their last encounter. "I'm fine Hotaru you should know that I'm not one that stays down."

"Don't worry about it Hotaru." Asmoskon turned away looking at the pond. Was it alright for a Quincy and a Shinigami to be together? Asmoskon hadn't ever thought of such a thing. Both of them were different races. In fact Hotaru was a deceased human soul while he was still alive. However, both of them were spiritual entities and believed in the same ideals. Asmoskon saw that Hotaru was motioning toward the pond and stated to walk beside her.

"Well don't keep me in suspense speak freely." When they had arrived toward the edge of the lake Asmoskon sat on the grass. Laying back with his arms behind his head Asmoskon closed his eyes awaiting Hotaru's words to cascade over him. She had mentioned that things had happened to her. Asmoskon could only hope that they were good and that she hadn't been forced to come to him out of desperation or need.

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

She sat next to him in the grass. "I know you don't stay down, it's just....I don't like to see you get hurt. Anyway, on to what has happened to me. I have fought the Vice Captain of my Squad, Squad One. It was just a spar, but he beat me pretty badly. I was able to recover, only to fight against Takashi Kuchiki, who then chopped off my feet in a match against him. Thankfully, he was nice enough to take me to Squad Four to get my feet healed.

"After that, I sparred with him again, to somewhat better success. During the training, I was able to learn my first release, or Shikai as it's more commonly known. I was able to actually injure Takashi with it, but he also took a chunk out of my arm. Thankfully, my Vice Captain was watching and broke it up before it got too bad. I have healed from that as well. I've also fought a Beast-Clan member. The Beast-Clan in Soul Society are humanoid beasts. The one I met was a cheetah named Caedir. He is very strong.

"Because of all the strong shinigami I've had the pleasure of meeting and sparring with, I switched squads so I'm in Squad 11 now, and actually made it to Third Seat, which is right under Vice Captain. I think I've come very far than from where I started. Though, I was involved in a fight that almost killed me. Thankfully, I was able to make it to Squad 12, they're the scientists, and they were able to bring me back to health. They healed me and they also made me a Kuchiki in the process, so I'm Hotaru Kuchiki now. But, enough about me. What about you? I would love to hear more about you."

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Asmoskon lay on the grass listening to Hotaru's words in what appeared to be an easy going manner. He was for the very first words however each moment that Hotaru explain her pain and injuries Asmoskon unknowingly reacted with a scowl or stiffness in his body. Asmoskon knew Takashi and was quite anger to hear that he had inflicted such horrible injuries on Hotaru. Asmoskon wasn't surprised though when Hotaru revealed her Shikai had been achieved. Asmoskon had already seen the first release of her zanpakuto during their last meeting.

Asmoskon had known what a beast-clan member from scrolls of his grandfather yet had never met one himself. Hearing that Hotaru had gone through so many battles in such a short amount of time made Asmoskon feel somewhat bored at his own life. All he had done since they last met was continue to protect humans against weaker hollows. Asmoskon's eyes did open and revealed quite a shock as Hotaru spoke that she was now a Kuchiki clan member. Both good and bad members that Asmoskon had met in the past a clan he knew was difficult and not easy to judge.

Closing his eyes once again and relaxing the best he could Asmoskon gathered his thoughts. "Well I'm glad to hear that your life has been far more exciting and full of advantage. However, please try not to get yourself so badly injured in the future 3rd Seat Kuchiki. As for myself I aided a few others in taking down a rather evil individual. I was almost killed at the hands of an Arrancar. Finally I helped a human discover and train his fullbring. Still me though. Nothing big has changed yet.

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

She quietly listened to what he had to say. It wasn't much but she was still proud of him. She chuckled to herself as he said the Third Seat Kuchiki. She also noticed that he didn't like all the injuries she had gotten. She didn't either. She would try in the future to avoid them as much as possible. She looked down at him and just seeing him there with her made her happy. She just couldn't hold it in anymore.

"It still sounds like you've done a great deal of things to me. I will try not to get myself horribly injured again. But they were more clever than I was and I left openings that they capitalized on. I will hopefully not make those mistakes again. I know nothing big has changed yet, but would you like it to? I mean to say, I really like you Asmoskon. You were the first Quincy I met and you made me completely rethink how to treat others like you. How do you feel about me?"

She started to blush towards the end. She just hoped he felt somewhat the same way as she did. She didn't want this all to be for nothing.

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Asmoskon had kept his eyes closed for the first few sentences that Hotaru spoken until she had asked the first question. Not entirely sure if he was assuming what she meant or something else completely Asmoskon couldn't help, but show slight surprise in his eyes. What did Hotaru mean by would he like things to change. Leaning forward into a somewhat sitting leaned back position. Placing his right hand behind him to keep him from falling backwards onto the grass again Asmoskon focused on Hotaru as she continued to speak.

Asmoskon couldn't help hide both a slight red tint to his face and the smile that spread across his face as Hotaru clarified. So for once it seemed that Asmoskon had assumed things somewhat correctly. If nothing else it meant that he was correct about Hotaru. Her next words however brought with them far more weight to Asmoskon. He knew that Hotaru was only speaking the truth in her own experience, but the idea that he had set the example for his race to her was too dangerous.

"Hotaru please don't believe me to be an example of my race. That's far to dangerous. In truth Hotaru I'm the renegade of my race. I follow a way that may in face be extinct the moment I fall. So please make sure to stay on guard if you sense reiatsu even similar to my own. I wouldn't forgive myself if someone as precious as you fell because of me."

Asmoskon had spoken without thinking entirely only going off of his emotions. Every word that he had spoken had been as if his heart was the one talking. He ha made sure that Hotaru would not be harmed by his race through his own actions. However, he hadn't even realized that he had in a way answered Hotaru's final question as he was speaking. It only took a moment to recall the words that just left his mouth causing him to blush and start laughing nervously.

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

She stared completely into his face while he was talking to her. He explained that he was not an example of his race. He was more like a renegade. She had met only one other Quincy and he seemed more relaxed as well. He wanted to make sure that she stayed on guard if she sensed anything similar to his. Which, she thought to herself, she had been doing. But, since Asmoskon had actually told her to do so, she would doubly make sure that she did.

The next words really hit home for her. It made her smile from ear to ear. He wouldn't forgive himself if someone as precious as Hotaru fell because of him. He actually called her precious. He cared enough about her to be concerned for her welfare. She was sure that that pretty much answered any questions she had about the subject of how he felt. It made her, internally, jump for joy that she finally found someone that cares about her as much as she did with them.

She closed the distance between them while he laughed nervously. Her hands went to his face, cupping his face gently while rubbing her thumbs across his cheeks. "You don't have to be nervous around me Asmoskon. Thank you for answering my question. I feel the same way about you. I never want the precious man in my life to fall because of something I did. I care for you deeply Asmoskon." She then bent her face closer to his and kissed him on the lips.

She backed up after a sufficient time, but only to where her face was before the kiss. She took her hands away and still blushed a little, looking down at her hands and fiddling with them. She was curious to see what he does next.

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Asmoskon hadn't noticed Hotaru move closer to him and only stopped laughing once her hands had touched his cheeks. Asmoskon felt the tingle of her fingers rubbing across his skin. The rhythmic beat of her pulse through her hands onto his own skin brought both surprise and joy to his face. He could feel her warmth he could feel someone else again. For one in the last few years he finally wasn't alone.

Asmoskon felt as if he couldn't speak. As if his voice had n fact been taken from him. As Hotaru spoke Asmoskon desperately felt he needed to say something as well. To speak his own feelings ones that seemed to be equal in fact it was strange how both of them felt toward one another yet were of two completely opposite races. The first moment that Hotaru's kiss touched his lips Asmoskon's eyes grew in shock only to be shut by happiness and acceptance.

As Hotaru moved back and looked down Asmoskon realized that race didn't matter to him in the least. Placing is hands over Hotaru's Asmoskon moves forward just as Hotaru had done earlier. Kissing Hotaru deeply Asmoskon reveals that Hotaru was the most important person in his life. The soft pink lips of a Shinigami were anything, but dead. The heat from her own face seemed to match if not dwarf Asmoskon's own as he tasted the cherry of his friend.

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

When she backed away from the kiss she started with Asmoskon, she had looked back and started to fiddle with her hands. What she saw in his face made her so happy. He was opening his eyes and looking at her. She hoped that that much emotion was in her eyes when she looked at him. He moved closer to her and covered her hands with his. She watched the movement and when she looked back up at him, he bent down and kissed her.

She was almost taken aback by how passionate he was. He was so nervous before and now he seemed to accept her and what she was offering. Both of their faces were red, but she didn't care anymore. She interlaced her hand with Asmoskon's and kissed just as deeply back. She almost felt herself lose control of the situation, but knew she couldn't. They were in a park and no one could see her but Asmoskon and other spiritually aware beings. It had to look weird for him doing this.

She reluctantly backed off, breathing a little heavy while she stared into his eyes. She smiled at him while she said the next words. "I didn't want it to end, but this has to look weird for the people that are actually in the park. Since I'm not wearing a Gigai, you're the only one that can actually see me. I want to spend more time with you, but if we're going to continue to kiss, which I hope we do, we should probably go somewhere more private. Do you have any ideas?"

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

"Alright well then I got something I think you'll enjoy." Standing up to his full height Asmoskon extends his hand downward in order to help Hotaru up herself. Once up Asmoskon walks over to his bike. Getting on the small black vehicle Asmoskon pats the back on the seat behind him twice. "Come on it'd be fun."

Once Hotaru gets on the bike Asmoskon would start it with a smile that soon was hidden under the lac helmet. "Hang on tight" With that said Asmoskon rush from the park. Driving the bike like he always did and had done before. Driving out of the park into oncoming traffic swaying and surfing along the road dodging oncoming cars. Taking tight corners in ways that just seemed like would end in trouble.

Laughing from under the helmet Asmoskon lifted up the front of his bike causing the bike to rise in a wheelie. After a few moments Asmoskon lowered the bike again and accelerated once again. Moving at speeds around one hundred and fifteen miles per hour Asmoskon screamed with excitement. Turning into a back street Asmoskon came upon a construction zone. Finding a ramp meant to helping guild things Asmoskon drove straight forward toward it.

The result caused Asmoskon Hotaru and the bike to be sent flying up into the air. It seemed like they were in the air for minutes when it was actually only a few seconds. Asmoskon wasn't done with the trick however. He had planned everything up to this point knowing where the construction was taking place. Now Asmoskon pointed forward at a small building that they were heading straight toward. Landing of the roof of the building Asmoskon spun the bike the screeching of the brakes as they came to a stop. "Well what'd ya think?"

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Once Asmoskon said that he had something in mind that she would like, it made Hotaru smile. Once he got up, he extended his hand and she took it, getting up off the ground. She followed him to a black 'motorcycle.' She had heard of them but had never actually ridden on one. He patted the seat behind his twice, saying it would be fun. She smiled, "Sure why not?" She got onto the bike and put her arms around Asmoskon's middle and held tightly, leaning her body against his back.

Once he saw she was on and he said hang on tight, he started driving fast. She couldn't believe how fast that they could reach speeds like this. He was driving into traffice, taking really tight corners, it was crazy. Next, he lifted up the motorcycle. She held on even tighter to him while he did this. It must be what humans called a 'wheelie.' He let the motorcycle down and kept speeding down the road. He turned onto a back street.

They were driving up to a construction zone. She thought he would stop, but they didn't. He drove straight towards the construction zone and for a ramp. He sped up, hitting the ramp fast and using the ramp to shoot them into the air. It was amazing to be flying like this without being on a stepping ground. They landed on the roof of a nearby building and he spun the bike while screeching brakes while they stopped.

He looked behind him and asked her what she thought. She loosened her grip onto Asmoskon. Her arms were now lightly around his waist, she didn't want to break contact just yet. She looked him dead in the eyes and answered, "It was AMAZING! I didn't know you could do stuff like that! It was great! Do you do this all the time? I would if I could." She then moved her arms and got off the bike, giving Asmoskon a peck on the cheek while doing so. She walked around to stretch out her legs a bit. Then, she walked towards the edge of the roof and sat down, letting her legs dangle. "You want to come and people watch with me? Or do you have any more surprises up your sleeves?"

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

It had seemed like a blink of an eye and before Asmoskon even realized it Hotaru was already at the edge of the roof. He then could feel the imprint of her lips on his cheek and smiled. It was the first time in so long that Asmoskon could think easy and let his emotions of passion loose. Asmoskon swung his leg over the bike then went through the motions of making sure everything was alright. Placing the helmet back on the seat he turns and begins to walk over toward Hotaru.

Sitting down next to Hotaru and looking down over the life of Tokyo. Asmoskon had a thought in his mind that wouldn't rest. He had been trying to push it away over the last few minutes, but it kept coming back to the front. It seemed that the more he pushed it aside and attempted to give it no attention the more aggravated the thought become. It seemed that Asmoskon didn't a choice or chance to enjoy the relaxation with Hotaru at the moment. He was going to have to talk with her about the biggest negative in this situation.

"Hotaru . . If we both want this I'm happy. However, you know as well as I do that no others can learn of it. For right now any Quincy even one like me is considered an enemy of Soul Society. If they found out a Shinigami . . especially a officer like yourself was involved with me. There would be no positive options. So for the time being don't inform anyone."

Asmoskon looked down at his black boots as an image of a man popped into his mind. Asmoskon knew immediately who the image was of. It was an older drawing of the Quincy Emperor that he had seen when he was small. Why was he thinking of that monster now though. Why when it seemed he finally had found someone that could make him happy again. It made sense though and Asmoskon registered it immediately once he thought of the Emperor.

"On top of that Hotaru. I don't even know if my own race knows of my existence yet. If they do it won't be much longer before I'm a target to be converted or taken out in cold blood. I'd rather them not go after you for being involved with me. I'm willing to take all the risks . . I just hope that the negatives can be put off or eliminated. Alright?"

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

While Hotaru looked Asmoskon's way, she saw the smile of happiness on his face. She had one too. While he was walking her way, she thought back on all their other encounters. She had never truly met someone else that had the same feelings as she had about duty and honor. It was a nice change of pace for her. Also, it was nice for someone to actually share her feelings about them. It never happened when she was alive.

Asmoskon sat next to her on the roof. He stared down at his city, deep in thought. She thought back on her human life. There were men that she would like enough to date. Her father even approved of her going after them. But, once she would met them, they would just turn around and leave. They would always say she wasn't the proper lady. Her father always told her that there is someone that wants a woman who can defend herself, she just had to find the right one. She really hopes that with him, she has found the right one.

Asmoskon looked at her and said that if they both wanted this, he was happy. That made her smile, she definitely wanted this. He then said something that she already knew, that no one can learn of their relationship. She knew if anyone in Soul Society knew about this, it would be bad for both of them. So she knew not to tell anyone. He gazed back down on the city. He must be thinking through everything that could happen.

Next, he told her that he doesn't even know if his race knows of him yet. He said if they do, it wouldn't take them long to make him a target for conversion or even death. He didn't want them to go after her to get to him. It was so sweet of him to think this way about her. When he said he was willing to take all the risks, hoping that all the negatives would be put off or eliminated. He waited for her to say something.

She stared deep into his eyes. She reached for his hand and intertwined her fingers with his. She took a deep breath and answered him. "Asmos, I do want this. I know I can't tell Soul Society about us, especially since I'm now a member of the oldest noble family. Thank you for thinking of me if other Quincy ever go after you. But, just know that if it ever happens and you need backup, don't hesitate to call me. I'll do anything for you Asmos and I'm willing to take any and all risks to stay here with you." She then leaned in and kissed him on the lips.