The Awakening [Book 2] (Bleach: Ichiruki)

XII

Rukia Kuchiki

I approached the exit to the garden Tatsuo had claimed he had made for me, as I ambled down the path in thought.

It was early in the morning, and here I was, up and walking around when I can't sleep.

That orange haired man had appeared in my dream again last night. But this time, he spoke to me. Promised me things that made me suddenly grow fonder for him. He had promised to get me out of here, to save me.

For some reason, I took his promises to heart. Even though it was only just a dream.

Who knows. Maybe I will see him again.

I sat down at the edge of a fountain that was meant to be shaped like me, the water spurting out of my mouth as my head was tilted to the sky. It was kind of creepy, actually.

They still thought me innocent; oblivious to things. But I wasn't dumb. I had changed, had become more aware of who I was.

Because of that orange haired man. Ichigo.

I knew Arachne and Tatsuo had been watching me, with her tiny little spiders she has sent to follow and watch me closely.

Because now I felt weaker, the watch over me had tightened.

It had felt like a half of my soul had been ripped out and devoured my a monster. I kept forgetting things, the only thing remaining clear in my head being that orange haired man.

I even remember meeting him. But I had forgotten how.

I'd say my memory, along with my ability to keep sane, was being sucked from me, and I had absolutely no idea why.

As I contemplated over my thoughts, a chilly breeze swept by, causing the water from the fountain to sprinkle on me a bit.

A dark figured dashed from the corner of my eye, as I snapped my head to the spot where I had seen it.

Now that I thought about it, the atmosphere had abruptly shifted into one of opaque and dismay.

It was then at that moment in which I had turned my head back around, meeting tranquil brown eyes that I had felt my body temperature drop. I tried to pull myself together and force myself on my feet, but it was like the stone from this fountain which I was sitting upon cemented me to this very spot.

The darkness of the early morning cascaded a shadow across one side of his face, as the natural light illuminated from the garden shone on the other half of his face. His hair was long and wavy, a long strand just slightly blowing in the breeze in the center of his face.

His eyes narrowed softly, his lips quirking up into a small grin.

"What a pleasant surprise." He spoke. His voice, as eerie as it was, was deep and calming, overwhelming my senses with serenity.

"Who are you?"

"You have caused us so much trouble, and yet, here you are, right before me."

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

I watched in awe as he suddenly snapped his head to the side, drawing out the spider that had been sent to follow me. This man simply stepped on it, before all noise and movement around me swiftly froze.