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Izuru knew it was childish to hide in a tree. It was peaceful, though, high in the leafy green canopies. He could think up there, watching all the people pass by down below, not knowing they were being watched.

The day she came was peaceful in a very lonely sense. Rather dreary rainclouds chased most people from the streets as a constant stream of water came from the sky, soaking Izuru and spreading a myriad of droplets across the leaves.

That was why the blond man was a bit shocked when he saw her, walking idly through the streets without a care in the world. Momo's dark hair clung wetly to her forehead. Her mouth was flat, but her eyes were lit with a smile.

That was why Izuru's stomach twisted so pleasantly when her eyes, brown, warm, and sweet as milk chocolate, caught on the tree and followed the dark, soaked bark up to Izuru's blue eyes.

Momo wouldn't lie, it seemed very out of character for Izuru to climb trees in the rain. But she liked the way his face seemed rather red, despite the chill, and the way his eyelashes caught the rain.

The blond man's stomach lurched even more when Momo proceeded to grasp a low-hanging branch and pull herself up. Izuru almost fell out of the tree as he stumbled to offer her a hand. She giggled as she accepted the assistance, and she leaned against him as they stood momentarily in the tree. To Izuru's utter and unending regret, Momo leaned back softly against a branch.

"This is fun," she giggled softly. Izuru's breath caught in his chest. Momo-in Izuru's totally unbiased and objective opinion-was the most wonderful woman in the world.

She was beautiful, of course, in Izuru's eyes: her dark hair gleamed in the soft light, dripping with water as her heart-shaped face curved romantically around warm, loving eyes and lips the color and texture of sweet pink rose petals. Her slender neck led down to her willowy form, certain, ah, aspects curved invitingly through the dripping black fabric of her uniform.

And then, she looked at him, for lack of a better term, leering at her, and she didn't seem to notice. Her heart was full of a kind of fiery love, something utterly naively adorable, but simultaneously determined and brave.

Momo was the most wonderful woman in the world, and here she was, sitting in his tree, not caring it was raining, not caring how childish this was; no, she was happy.

Izuru felt sheepish and overwhelmed by all this as the thoughts danced wildly through his mind.

"Come here often?" Momo laughed lightly.

"Not really," Izuru grinned shyly at her, bobbing his head apologetically. "Just when I need to get away from the world."

Momo nodded, her face pensive, as though Izuru had just said something incredibly wise, which only made the wet, blond man feel even stranger. He wrung his hands self-consciously, happy his crush's eyes were on the ground.

"You're in love with me, aren't you?" Momo asked quietly. Izuru nearly fell out of the tree, suddenly wanting for some lightning to strike him so he wouldn't have to have this conversation. Thunder boomed as though it were responding to his thoughts.

Momo met his eyes curiously. She was almost squatting now, gazing up at him with gentle intensity, examining his wiry body and his suddenly gangly and shy movements, along with his elegant, statuesque features, screaming red with embarrassment. His blond bangs stuck to his face, allowing her to see only one eye, a cool, ice-blue thing that was mixed with terror and adoration and sadness, and Momo knew he would very much like to fall out of their tree and break his spine.

"H-h-" Izuru couldn't quite get the words out, suddenly very lightheaded and ill-feeling.

"Rangiku said I should ask you," Momo said a little sadly.

"Erm, well…" Izuru blushed even more, pushing his sopping hair up so it blocked his other eye. "I am in love with you."

"Hm," Momo smiled. "I'm stupid for not figuring it out."

"I'm stupid for never having told you," Izuru countered shyly, hating himself just a bit.

To his utter and utmost shock, Momo got to her feet with a sudden movement that very nearly dislodged her from the leafy green sanctuary. Stumbling to regain her balance, she leaned forward very suddenly so she was pressed against him, and Izuru felt slightly less self-conscious about his stark blush.

Until she kissed him. Her lips were soft and warm, utterly juxtaposing the cold rain that was coming down ferociously on them both. Momo's hands lay with unimaginable tenderness on his chest--Izuru really hoped she couldn't feel his heart pounding so wildly through his clothes--as her lips moved so gently and lightly against his.

His beloved pulled her head back just a few inches, panting slightly, shown darkly. Momo kissed him gently again.

"Maybe we should go into the barracks," her words were surprisingly flirtatious.

"Maybe we should," Izuru agreed, and, as hands leapt around her waist, he kissed her this back this time.