The Awakening [Book 2] (Bleach: Ichiruki)

II

I roamed through a vast field of roses-- white, silky roses-- as their thorns bit at my ankles, my blood leaving a trail, poisoning the white field around me.

Why am I here? What is my purpose of being here?

I continued to roam the field, my long hair flowing in the cool summer wind behind me.

Now that I think about it, since when did my hair get long?

I slowed my skipping down to a stop when a glint crossed my eye. There, in the distance, was a small pond, similar to something I've seen many times before.

I approached it slowly, bending down and looking at my reflection in the pond.

The girl before me wore haunting bright green eyes, and an amused smile on her lips. She was happy and free. Her black hair cascaded down into which the tips of it were leaving small ripples in the water that grew into bigger ones. My reflection faded as the ripples clashed. I pulled my hair back, continuing to admire the crystal clear water, before my eyes widened.

The girl in the reflection was a mess. Her hair was tangled together in knots, her skin so thin that you could see her bones and veins protruding through her neck. Her eyes were dark purple and held emptiness in it. She looked weak; as if the life had been sucked out of her.

I felt her pain.

And it was horrible. I felt tears brimming at the corners of my eyes.

Who is this woman? And why is she in so much pain?

I want to help her.

I reached out with my hand to the water, longing to help this person.

The second my hand dipped in the water, I felt myself getting yanked under.

The water wasn't as cold as I assumed it would be. It was filled with warmth and relaxed my shaking nerves.

But I wasn't wet. It was as if I was floating in air.

I opened my eyes.

I gasped when I saw the figure of a tall orange haired man before me.

I felt something in my heart tear open.

This man.

Why am I crying? Why does it feel like I know him?

Who is he? Why can't I remember him?

•

I bolted upright, colliding my head with someone's forehead.

I winced, rubbing the sore spot on my forehead.

"Morning darling." He spoke.

I opened my eyes, seeing his face before me.

"Tatsuo, why-"

"You were thrashing out. Did you have a nightmare?"

"I-I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"I don't remember." I lied.

I looked up into his crystal eyes, as he narrowed them at me.

"Are you lying to me?" He asked, arching his eyebrow.

"No." I lied. Again.

Tatsuo only sighed, before getting off of me.

"There's no point in trying to hide anything from me. I'll find out sooner or later."

"I'm not hiding anything from you." I lied. Once again.