The rest of the day went smoothly. Hitomi went to her remaining classes with Yumiko while Ayumi was able to find the rest of hers on her own. Soon it was time for their club meeting.

"Alright, guys," Kento said, calming the club members who were dying for their weekend to begin. "Yesterday our meeting ended before we could make a decision, so let's get that out of the way and we can all go home." The small crowd cheered and Kento flashed them a dazzling smile. Shikyo rolled his eyes. "Now, Miss Hitomi has the floor."

"Thank you, Kento-senpai," Hitomi blushed and walked forward. "Now, we still have a decision to make, as the event planning organization chosen to plan the field trip for the school it is our responsibility to-" but Yumiko cut her off.

"We think that the class trip should be to Osaka!" Yumiko smiled brightly.

"Oh, that's where I'm from," Ayumi smiled brightly. "May I have permission to speak, Hitomi?" The blonde had given up and smiled at the new student. "Osaka is a great place to go, we've got beaches and we also have a huge theme park!" The club was getting very excited.

"Well, how about it?" Kento stepped forward. "Shall we propose this idea to Yamada-sensei and the rest of the teachers?" All the students raised their hands in agreement. "Alright then," Kento flashed another smile, "I'll see you all Monday where we'll be planning the events for Halloween and Christmas." Soon the room was empty save for Hitomi and Kento.

"I'm glad everyone agreed to the trip," Hitomi smiled as she gathered her belongings.

"Well, it was a great idea, Hitomi-san," Kento smiled. "Will you promise me a ride on the rollercoaster when we go?" he blushed slightly, something Hitomi had never seen him do. Hitomi was speechless, it was only when Kento started to speak again that she blurted out her answer.

"Of course," Hitomi flushed bright red, "I'd love to, Senpai."

"Great," Kento appeared relieved, "well, I'll see you on Monday then?" Hitomi nodded. "Have a great weekend, Hitomi-san."

"What took you so long?" Yumiko put her hands on her hips. She and Ayumi had been waiting outside the room for Hitomi. Shikyo was floating next to some lockers with his arms folded across his chest. He obviously heard what was going on, but had chosen not to be in the room for it.

"Well, Kento-senpai had to ask me something," Hitomi couldn't not hide her blush or her smiled Yumiko immediately jumped on it.

"He asked you out?!" Yumiko erupted. "Oh my gosh! I can't wait to tell, well, I guess I usually tell you everything, so, I'll tell Ayumi!!"

"I'm right here," Ayumi raised an eyebrow.

"It was a figure of speech," Yumiko pouted and then turned back to Hitomi, completely ignoring Ayumi's comment about how she should look up the meaning of that phrase. "So what did he say? How did he say it? Are you going on a date this weekend?" Hitomi held her hands up in defense.

"It wasn't like that," Hitomi giggled nervously, "he just asked if we could ride the rollercoaster together." Yumiko nearly flew through the ceiling.

"So," Ayumi interrupted whatever squeal was going to pour from Yumiko's mouth, "the trip isn't until spring, I mean, I know you had to get the trip planning started early, but to ask you out like that, I think he may plan to make you his girlfriend," the Lolita smiled. "Congratulations, Hitomi."

"Wow!" Yumiko gushed, "that's two dates in one day!" Shikyo and Hitomi both looked at her suspiciously.

"Two dates?" they both asked at the same time, of course, Yumiko had only heard Hitomi.

"Yeah, Ayumi-chan just told me that she has a date tonight," the redhead turned toward a slightly flushing Ayumi. "Barely a whole school day and a boy is already asking her out."

"Who is it, Ayumi-chan?" Hitomi asked, slightly concerned for the girl's safety. Ayumi smiled sheepishly.

"Well, remember Ketsuki from homeroom?" Ayumi began and Hitomi's heart dropped to her stomach. "He asked me out to the movies right in front of his blonde friend," she paused, excited, "you should have seen how pissed she looked!" Yumiko giggled along with Ayumi, but Hitomi had trouble joining in on the laughter. She shot a glance in Shikyo's direction and his nodded.

"On it," he mouthed to her and flew over so he could be closer to Ayumi.

"Well, I'm off to get ready," Ayumi grinned. "I'll see you all Monday," then she paused, "unless you want to hang out this weekend." She took out her cell phone which was surprisingly bright pink.

"Hey," Yumiko pointed to the phone, "Hitomi and I have the same one!" The two girls took out their phones to show her.

"Cool, well," she took Yumiko's phone and typed a number in, "that's my cell, just give me a call and we'll make plans," she turned toward the doors, "Bye, girls!" Shikyo followed her long enough to hear her phone conversation with her mother. He got the location of the date so he could be there to protect her that night. Then, he flew to Hitomi's house.

"Well, I've got the name of the theatre," Shikyo said when he flew through her open window.

"How did you know which window mine was?" Hitomi looked up from her homework.

"Actually," Shikyo paused, "I didn't…I accidently flew into your brother's room first." Shikyo floated over to her bed and sat down. "Did you know he sings karaoke in there?"

"I'm pretty sure the neighbors down the street know he sings karaoke in there," Hitomi giggled and then turned serious. "So, we'll go out tonight to make sure that Ayumi is safe from Ketsuki."

"You're half right," Shikyo crossed his arms over his chest, "you're staying here." Hitomi made to argue, but Shikyo continued. "It's my duty to protect you and there is no way in Jigoku that I'm going to let you near that monster." Hitomi was touched.

"Alright," Hitomi said, her eyes tearing up, "I know you're only trying to protect me," her blue eyes were beginning to tear up.

"Wait, Hitomi," Shikyo began and Hitomi continued, rather melodramatically.

"I'll stay here, while you go and fight…I'll make sure to eat all of my vegetables, too!" Hitomi moaned and put the back of her hand against her forehead.

"You don't have to be a bitch about it," Shikyo glared and Hitomi stuck her tongue out playfully.

"Alright, alright, seriously," Hitomi tried her best to wipe the smile off her face, "I'll wait here while you watch Ayumi," then she did look serious, "please make sure she doesn't get hurt."

"Of course," Shikyo smiled, "I'm not going to make a promise, Kami knows those get me into trouble, but I will do my best to protect your friend, Hitomi-chan."

"Thank you, Shikyo," Hitomi got up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He put a hand to his, now burning, cheek and attempted to look tough, which was hard when he had big, soft blue eyes and fluffy hair that looked like a cloud.

"Well, I'm going to head out and scout the area," Shikyo floated toward her, "do you think you'll be okay until I get back." Hitomi nodded. "Alright, Ayumi said they're going to dinner across from the theatre at five and then the movie starts at six-thirty, so I'll be back around-"

"I'll be fine," Hitomi pushed his floating form toward the window. "Just make sure that Ayumi is safe." Shikyo saluted as he flew out the window and toward the alley that led to the shopping center. "Finally," Hitomi glanced at her clock, which now read 4:25. She quickly ran over to her cell and dialed.

"Moshi moshi," a peppy voice came from the other end.

"Yumiko-chan," Hitomi grinned, though the redhead couldn't see it. "Want to meet at the shopping center at five?"

Shikyo had been scouting the area for thirty minutes before Ayumi had shown up. She looked even weirder to him than she had earlier. She was now wearing a black and baby pink dress which looked more like something you'd find on a doll. She also had a little matching bonnet and pink boots which Shikyo determined were made from something between plastic and leather and were most likely used for short girls who longed to reach the height to play basketball.

"Two please," Ayumi said to the hostess who immediately sat her outside on the patio. Ayumi ordered some water from a waiter and rested her chin in her hands as she waited for her date. Suddenly she turned in Shikyo's direction. "Oh, hello Shikyo," she greeted.

"Hello, Ayumi," Shikyo pretended he was not trying to hide in the bushes, "I thought I dropped my notebook." He held it out to show her. Then he put it back in his robes and sat across from her. "Waiting for your date?"

"Yeah, I'm a little early, but I figured I'd just go ahead and get a table," she explained. "What are you doing here without Hitomi?" she questioned. "I figured you were protecting her or something."

"You really do read a lot of books on the supernatural, don't you?" Shikyo raised an eyebrow and Ayumi giggled.

"Well, I like death and stuff like that, you know?" Ayumi took a sip of her water and Shikyo cringed. She just had to say 'death.' "I mean, my dad is a mortician and my mom works in the ER, that's how they met."

"Oh, that's…romantic," Shikyo chuckled nervously. "So, I wonder where Ketsuki is," he quickly changed the subject. It didn't fell like they had been talking long, but when Ayumi glanced at her cell phone, she gasped.

"My gosh, it's already five fifteen," Ayumi pouted. "That's not very gentleman like." Suddenly her phone vibrated and began to play a sweet melody that Shikyo didn't recognize. "This must be him," she looked at the unfamiliar number, "I gave him my number earlier," she explained as she hit the answer button. "Moshi moshi," she greeted, "oh, it's okay, I understand…yeah, his is here, hold on." She handed the phone to Shikyo, "He wants to talk to you."

"Hello?" Shikyo pressed the pink phone to his ear.

"Shouldn't you be watching someone?" the voice was definitely Ketsuki's. Shikyo froze. He looked around frantically, but he didn't see the vampire anywhere. He tried to sound calm.

"Yes, but she's at home I said I'd watch her little friend so you wouldn't get her," Shikyo whispered harshly.

"That's a shame," came Ketsuki's voice. "But I suppose my diversion did work," he paused, "Isn't that right, Hitomi-chan?" Then the line went dead. Shikyo threw the phone back at Ayumi and flew up into the air, searching for the girl he had sworn to protect. He flew as fast as he could to her open window. When he finally made it in, he couldn't believe what he saw.

"You're back early," Hitomi said as she folded some more of her laundry and placed it in her drawers. Shikyo's jaw dropped. Then he suddenly snapped back to reality.

"You're still here?" Shikyo questioned, almost harshly.

"Yes, you told me to stay and I'm a good little girl," Hitomi smiled brightly, but Shikyo saw through it. He folded his arms and glared. "Okay, okay," Hitomi rolled her eyes, "I called Yumiko to see if she'd come with me to the mall to spy on Ayumi and Ketsuki, but she's grounded because her mom found a failed test under her bed."

"And you just decided to stay home and not spy on your own?" Shikyo raised an eyebrow. Hitomi closed her drawer and sat on her bed.

"Well, I was about to sneak out, but mom came in with the laundry and, well, it was either leave it for later and get grounded from something I really needed to do or," she paused, "just let you handle it." She stretched her arms up over her head and stifled a yawn. "So, how did her date go?" Suddenly, Shikyo remembered why he had raced home so quickly.

"Ayumi!" he shouted and flew out of Hitomi's window, leaving a stunned blonde behind. He sped off toward the restaurant where he left Ayumi, hoping that Ketsuki had not taken her to some dark, secluded place yet. But when Shikyo arrived back at the restaurant, he found Ayumi still in her seat, but with a new addition at her table.

"Ah, Shinigami," Ketsuki purred. Shikyo blinked. Was the vampire that stupid to point out a God of Death in front of a human. "Yes, they are pretty interesting," the dark-haired boy continued. Shikyo then realized that he was being ignored.

"Yeah, but not as interesting as vampires," Ayumi grinned. Then her purple eyes caught Shikyo's. "Oh, hi Shikyo!" she greeted. "Where did you run off to, that was pretty rude," she put her hands on her hips.

"Um, who are you talking to, love?" Ketsuki asked, a mask of puzzlement adorned his handsome features.

"Shut up with your clueless gentleman routine!" Shikyo pushed forward so he was inches away from the vampire. "She can see me, stupid."

"Oh, you gave another human the power to see you?" Ketsuki took a sip of water from his glass and set it back down on the table. "My, my, you are foolish, indeed."

"Watch it, Vampire!" Shikyo hissed through his teeth.

"I knew it!" Ayumi squealed, distracting the men from their argument. They both turned and looked at the Lolita.

"You knew what?" Ketsuki said, sounding annoyed. Apparently his gentleman act was wearing off.

"That you were a vampire," Ayumi poked him on the nose with her finger. Before it sunk in that Ketsuki's cover had be blown, Hitomi showed up panted. She bent over and put her hands on her knees as she caught her breath.

"Why did you speed off like that?" She asked once she was able to regain her composure. Shikyo and Ketsuki were still sort of shocked. Shikyo hadn't exactly broken a Shinigami rule, but it's not very nice to blow other people's covers.

"Hitomi-chan, you'll never guess what I just found out!" Ayumi jumped up and grabbed a hold of the slightly flushed blonde. "They're having a sale at Furo to Karadaya!" The Lolita dragged the blonde across the mall, leaving Ketsuki and Shikyo to watch after them.

"So, I suppose she didn't want to tell your secret," Shikyo folded his arms and glared at the vampire.

"Well, it's not hers to tell," Ketsuki stood up and placed a few dollar bills on the table. "Besides, she wouldn't even know about it if it weren't for you," he pointed an accusing finger at the Shinigami.

"Please, I'm sure she'd figure out what you were the moment you sunk your fangs into her neck," Shikyo pointed right back at him.

"Did you ever think that maybe I wanted to date something who liked me for what I am?" Ketsuki glared.

"I'm sorry," Shikyo looked at the ground and then back at Ketsuki. "You threatened her in the hallway and I should have known that you were just trying to act tough." The Shinigami took a deep breath, one he didn't need, but felt it suited the situation. "I shouldn't have been so quick to judge you."

"Well, you were right anyway, I did want to kill her," Ketsuki stuck his tongue out, "but I suppose I can play with her a little more now that she already knows," with that, the vampire ran off before Shikyo could even get angry.