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[Rakuran Ju-n]

Ju-n hesitantly trode the streets of his former home before Seireitei. Things were different now: he no longer maintained that freedom to roam the ally ways of Rukongai without being speculated to have ill intentions by its inhabitants. It was apparent that his type wasn't welcomed here - Shinigami weren't looked on well in this district of the rural border wall town and it would be no surprise if this never changed.

"What is he doing here? What does he want?" These were the words muttered by those he randomly passed by. It was something he could feel in their movements; hear in their body language; see in their eyes.

Ju-n nudged his katana to where it hung right above his buttocks, pulled down his straw hat - to where the tip of his nose was barely visible - and continued his journey down to the faint echoes of laughter and ringings of bells and whistles. The resonating breeze whispered these sounds in Ju-n's ears as it rebelliously shifted the threads of his hair from one shoulder to the other.

It's been a while since i've been to the fair, he thought. It's been a while since i've been in Rukongai now that i think of it. Ju-n was tired of the politics and thick air that surrounded the inner walls of Seireitei. It was no longer about a Shinigami and his zanpakutou, everything had to be well plotted out and decisively maneuvered. Ju-n needed a break from all this so he concluded to stroll around the outer rim.

The Sunset Fair took place deep in the depths of Rukongai. Only few of it's dwellers were aware of it. To commemorate the fallen souls that never had the proper Soul Burial down on earth or chance to make it over to Soul Society, this fair took place during the twilight of dusk and carried over till the sun was finally set and the moon was ultimately risen. This was to represent the memories of life before death, and the darkness that awaits on its other side. Fortunately the fair consisted of the whole works: fireworks, side shows, entertainers, and most importantly food.

"Almost there," Ju-n spoke audibly to himself, "Shouldn't be but a couple more blocks away."

[Starlight]

Starlight smiled when she finally managed to release Midnight's death grip on her as they entered the fair grounds of Runkongai. It had taken them a while to get there seeing as how it was so deep inside of the place. She pulled out the pair of black sunglasses Midnight had given her and put them on, feeling a little like she was in the Men in Black movie. Or maybe in this case it would be Women in Black. Who knows?

She had a feeling they would be recognized even with the darkly tinted sunglasses, and she was right as the whispers started about their identities. Starlight shrugged it off. The two girls were here to have some fun, and fun they would have. She continued walking with Midnight while looking around her to see if she saw anybody she knew.

It looked like they had just arrived as the fair was getting started. Only a few groups were there at the moment and stands were setting up their items and games. She pranced ahead and turned around to Midnight with a grin plastered across her face. "So, where to now?"

[Rakuran Ju-n]

Having already visited his favorite booths, Ju-n was now munching down on some freshly whirled cotton candy.

Mmm.. He sighed with every slirp of stirred, sugary goodness. Now this is yummy in my tummy.

Ju-n glanced over to the near entrance of the fair and noticed a faintly familiar face. Starlight Taichou? It was almost impossible for him to believe that yet another shinigami dared to show their face in this area of rukongai, let alone even know about the fair itself.

Out of instinct Ju-n casually strolled over to where the 5th Division Captain stood and lazily payed his respects. "Starlight-Sama," he removed his straw hat and slightly bent forward. With the tone in his voice hinting his lack of enthusiasm for the politically hyped greeting, Ju-n didn't bother to notice if Starlight was as surprised to see him as he was to see her. "It isn't becoming of a Captain class to show face in this part of the district is it? If you're not careful around here i might just be forced to protect you."

Ju-n smirked as he carefully returned his hat to its previous position. He knew very well that Starlight could fend for herself, and, if ever anybody was going to need protection, it probably be her saving Ju-n's hide and not the other way around.

"C'mon, they're a couple more booths i wanted to hit up before i left." Ju-n was already heading off as he wasn't going to wait for a reply to his former rhetorical question. "Besides, the fireworks will be starting soon."

[Midnight]

Midnight had drifted away from Starlight and moved further into the huge crowd. So far no one had noticed her which was a good sign. When she turned around to find Star, she had disappeared. Midnight let out a strangled sigh and started running to catch up to her friend. When Midnight Finally spotted the back of the girls head she watched as a familiar shinigami bowed respectively before her. This made Midnight dash behind the nearest food stand to watch the scene. Seems that Starlight stands out more that I do. Too bad... Midnight thought giggling silently.

"C'mon, they're a couple more booths i wanted to hit up before i left." "Besides, the fireworks will be starting soon."

Ju-n, who she had recognized to by now, was now walking off and away from the green haired girl. Midnight began to tear up and crouched in the corner behind the stand. He took her away! no fair! before the waterworks could begin an idea popped into Midnights head. She would trail the two of them making sure the date went well and in the process play in the stands. Midnight took a big whiff of the air and smiled. And first stop will be the funnel cakes! She said dashing off to the direction of the powdery-goodness.

[Starlight]

Starlight sighed when she realized that she had already lost Midnight. She was wondering what to do when she heard a familiar voice.

"Starlight-Sama."

She recognized Ju-n as he stood back up. She should've known he would at least be here; he seemed like somebody who would. She grinned at him.

"You know, there's no need for that. You can just call me Starlight."

"It isn't becoming of a Captain class to show face in this part of the district is it? If you're not careful around here I might just be forced to protect you."

Starlight rolled her eyes playfully, but didn't answer; she didn't figure it required one from the tone of Ju-n's voice.

"C'mon, they're a couple more booths I wanted to hit up before I left. Besides, the fireworks will be starting soon."

Starlight brightened up considerably more than ever when she heard him. "Fireworks? I was starting to get worried that they didn't have any!" Grinning, she caught up to Ju-n. "I wonder where Midnight is- Oh my god!"

Starlight stopped and gaped at an enormous black and white stuffed panda bear that had been sat up just on the other side of the counter in a booth. With her eyes almost sparkling with adoration, she reached over and almost grabbed it when she heard somebody clear their throat. A middle-aged man was staring warily at her.

Starlight smiled. "Can I buy this bear?"

The man shook his head. "Nope. You have to win 'em." He pointed behind him and Starlight automatically gave up all hope of ever getting the animal. The game she had to win was the traditional carnival game of Ring Toss. She despised Ring Toss, she never won at it. Starlight groaned as she laid her head against the counter. "Noooo! I'll never win that bear!"

[Rakuran Ju-n]

Ju-n noted carefully Starlight's admiration for the displayed stuffed animal. It's almost cute, he mused. Before continuing any further, Ju-n handed the man three coins and requested the rings he was soon to be tossing. "How many do we need to win the bear?"

The man handed Ju-n four rings. "You will need three out of the four."

"Hmm," Ju-n turned and spoke to Starlight, "Sounds challenging." He returned his attention to the pressing task at hand. Taking one step closer to the stand bordering him and the starting point, he mockingly closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I need to focus, this bear needs a home..."

Ju-n smirked and glared unforgivingly at the rings. Tossing the first, the ring fell into its target with no restraint. The same applied for the second. After the third, however, it fell short of its goal resulting in an exert of disbelief. Damnit.. Ju-n cringed. I thought i had this one in the bag.

He reached out for Starlight's hand and pressed firmly the fourth into her palm. Ju-n couldn't help but consider the soft warmth she possessed as it transferred delicately with their touch. Looks like it just doesn't come with her presence after all. Forcing himself back into reality, and essentially regaining his conscious, he fell out of the trance that bounded him with no effort.

"Ermm.. well, since it seems like you're no better at this than i am, i'll help you out." He came around Starlight's back and wrapped his arms securely around her own. Her body rested snug against his chest. Being within whispering distance, he spoke faintly into her ear, "On the count of three we toss, okay?"

"One.."

"Two..."

"Three!"

[Starlight]

Starlight was glad her back was to Ju-n. She blushed furiously when he came up behind her, resting his arms with hers and pressing her body against his. Although, it was warm and the contact felt good, though she wasn't going to actually admit that.

"I-I'm not sure if I can do this..." It was already too late. Ju-n had begun to countdown. Starlight sucked in her breath and tossed the fourth ring with Ju-n. It flew through the air, landing flawlessly onto one of the ones in the center.

Starlight made a squealing noise when the man handed her the panda. It was roughly half the size of her and it was mostly white with a few black splotches here and there. She turned to Ju-n with a grin plastered across her face and her fangs poking out over her bottom lip. "Ju-n, thank you so much!"

Starlight set down the panda so she could give Ju-n a hug. It was kind of hard to hold a massive stuffed panda while trying to hug something else. Maybe she'd master it eventually. She picked up the bear again. "So where to now? I myself would like to grab a funnel cake before we head off to do something else. Do you mind?"

Starlight also wanted to go there to take a quick look for Midnight. She figured the powdery-loving captain would be there. If she couldn't find her, Starlight figured she wouldn't worry about it for too long.

[Midnight]

Midnight was skipping down the road with a funnel cake in hand. The powdery confection leaving a cloud of white dust in its trail. She nibbled on the ends of the round pastry giggling softly until she heard a squealing noise coming from the right. Looking over she spotted Starlight clutching a huge panda and Ju-n standing to the side. As she examined closer, Midnight could see the faint tint of pink of Star's pale complexion. What did I miss? she though swiftly disappearing behind the stand they were at and watching their actions closely.

"So where to now? I myself would like to grab a funnel cake before we head off to do something else. Do you mind?"

Midnight looked at the Funnel cake in her hand and then back at Starlight and Ju-n...... she glared at the funnel cake once more and resolved to get another later. In one fluid motion, Midnight launched the funnel cake in the air and came in a direct hit with Starlight face. Completely missing the adorable panda. Forget the Funnel cakes! You. Flirting. NOW! she thought fuming at the thought of Star not taking this to her advantage. Midnight appeared behind a different stand about fifty feet away this time making sure that her appearance was completely concealed.

[Starlight]

Starlight released the breath she was holding, sending a large cloud of white smoke away from her face with a small 'Poof.' She stood completely still, building up the murderous aura that sent some of the residents of Runkongai scurrying away from her. "Midnight..." Starlight remembered she was in the presence of another Soul Reaper and quickly regained herself, nudging the disposed of funnel cake lying on the ground with her foot.

She looked up to Ju-n and smiled, "Well, sorry about this. Now I just need something to clean it off..." Starlight glared around her, daring Midnight to show her face after the incident, only letting it soften once she determined the captain was nowhere in sight. She turned back to the man at the Ring Toss booth. "Do you happen to have any kind of cloth or napkins?" He shook his head and pointed in the direction opposite from them.

"Sorry. The closest place I know about is on the other side of the fair, where the concession stands are located." Starlight sighed and turned back to Ju-n, thinking about how much of a mess she must look with powder covering her face.

"Ahh, sorry again about all the mess Ju-n." She shifted and looked at the ground, blushing from being embarrassed in front of Ju-n.