I pulled out a feather and ran my finger along it. It obviously belonged to a peacock, and looked beautifully delicate.

Rangiku gasped happily and grabbed my hand, yanking me to my feet.

"R-Rangiku?" I said, surprised. Her mouth was opening in a silent scream as she jumped up and down, still holding onto my hand.

"Ahhhhh!" She finally squeeled, making me cringe and rub at my poor ear with the back of my hand, careful of the feather. "Closet! Go! Now, now, now!" She ordered, pushing me slightly.

I stumbled, tripping over my own two feet. I closed my eyes, sure I was seconds from hitting the ground, but my nose hit, not the floor, but a warm chest as strong arms wrapped around me, keeping me upright.

My hands were on their chest as I pulled back slightly and looked at my savior, a very pretty man with feathers at the corner of his eye and a bit of pink on his cheeks as he looked down at me in concern.

"Are you alright?" He asked, his voice soothing and warm.

I blushed as I looked into his eyes. "I... I think so..."

He gave a small smile, and my heart hammered in my chest. "Good," he replied.

He righted me and offered his arm, as if on instinct, I took it, and he led me out of the room.

"Where are you going?!" Rangiku and the others yelled.

"Closets are ugly," he yelled back before smiling down at me. "My name is Yumichika. You are Claire, right?"

I blushed again. "Y-Yes..."

"Thought so," he chuckled, opening a door to someone's room. "This should do," he said as he led me inside and shut the door.

Instantly nervous, I took back my arm and stepped back. "Should d-do for what?" I demanded.

He blinked, then made a sound of sudden understanding. "I see, you've never played this, have you?"

"Why are we here?" I demanded, taking another step back.

He smiled soothingly. "It's just part of the game, I promise. It would be hideous of me to force you into anything."

He spoke so calmly, so sincerely, I began to believe I was in no danger.

"What is this game?" I asked quietly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

He sat beside me, but I didn't move away, not even when he took one of my hands in a gentle grasp and moved his fingers through my hair.

"It's fifteen minutes in heaven," he said. "Normally, the chosen two are locked in a closet, where they make out- or sometimes go further. However, a beautiful girl such as you shouldn't be shut up in an ugly closet for any amount of time, much less be forced to kiss someone against your will. You're first kiss wasn't forced, was it?"

His question caught me off guard and I looked down. "I-I... Haven't exactly had my first kiss yet..." I mumbled nervously.

He seized up. "What?" He asked, shocked.

"N-No one ever liked me that way," I explained, still avoiding his gaze as I took my hand from his and held onto my opposite bicep. "I... Actually doubt anyone would..."

Gentle fingers took my chin and turned my head to face him. He was blushing slightly, staring intently at my face, so I ended up blushing somehow more.

"You're wrong," he said, leaning forward and ghosting his lips against my forehead before pulling back to peer at my beet red face. "I would." Another ghost-kiss on my temple, another shade of red added to my face. "You're beautiful," ghost-kiss on the apple of my cheek, "sweet," ghost-kiss on the tip of my nose.

He moved so his lips were level with my own, but stayed a comfortable distance away.

I couldn't find much to say, other than "You don't know me..."

He chuckled and traced his fingers along my jawline. "Then go on a date with me later, so I can learn that I'm right."

He moved forward again, but stopped halfway, doubt flashing in his eyes. I realized that he didn't want my first kiss to be against my will.

I steeled myself and closed the distance, placing my lips on his. He seemed slightly surprised, but kissed back almost immediately.

He tasted like strawberries, as sweet as the kiss, which left me weak as my heart leapt in my chest at a thousand miles per hour.

His hands moved, one to my cheek and the other to rest on my hip and his lips molded against mine.

Eventually, unfortunately, I had to break the kiss for oxygen, which he seemed to need as well.

"Do you... Regret it?" He asked between breaths.

I shook my head, then set it against his chest, my arms wrapping around his waist. As I listened to his slightly unsteady heartbeat, his arms wrapped themselves securely around my shoulders and he laid his cheek on top of my head, falling back until we were laying on the bed.

I sighed, breathing in his strawberry scent, and started drifting off with my head against his chest.

"Should we schedule the date for tomorrow?" He muttered softly.

I smiled faintly, and nodded, letting my eyes drift shut.

"Yeah..." I whispered.