Disclaimer: Okay, I don't own Bleach. You can thank Kubo Tite for its existence.

I realize I've twisted a few things around and some of you may be a little horrified with a few, but I tried to keep them as in-character as possible. You'll understand a little later.

There is mention of the Ichi-Hime-Ruki love triangle, but only because the progression of the story depends on it. However, I don't intend to make any pairings, at least not with these three. Who knows though, we'll see where it goes. In any case, probably no real "happy" pairings.

Description: Inoue finds that she can't trust or rely on anyone anymore. Will anyone be there for her when she needs them, or will she go crazy? Rated M for rape, violence, and mature themes.

Warning: If you didn't read it before, this is going to take a dark turn. Don't expect lollipops and rainbows, kids.

Chapter One

"Where are you going, Kurosaki-kun?"

Long locks of brightly-colored orange hair; large, cheerful auburn eyes; a warm smile; a huge rack; the young boy executed a high-resolution scan of his affectionate classmate. She always seemed so content just to see him, and so sad upon seeing him go. Even on his glummest of days, he could always count on Inoue's joyful greeting and pleasant persona.

Of course, he found her attractive, and her presence was usually enjoyable; however, he just couldn't get past the typecast of the cheerful, naïve ditz. How can a person who's had any real life experience remain so optimistic? He shook his head. She couldn't possibly understand the complexities of the battles he fought within himself.

Giving his usual half-ass smile, Ichigo answered despondently. "Home. The old man's got a strict curfew when I'm not taking off for months at a time."

They were sitting on the river's edge, surrounded by green earth and a cool night's breeze. A full moon loomed overhead; not the romantic kind, but the kind you think of when you watch a scary movie, or sense something ominous approaching. Still, Inoue liked being under that moon, if only Kurosaki were under it, too.

"Oh. I'll see you tomorrow at school, Kurosaki-kun!" she shouted at his back, waving frantically to no avail. A small-framed, raven-haired girl walked beside him, carrying on some friendly quarrel they'd both soon forget about. As Inoue observed the girl, laughing and shouting insults at a certain short-tempered boy with spiky orange hair, her heart swelled with sadness.

I know she's more than just a friend to you, Kurosaki-kun, the young girl thought. Stubbornly, he refused to admit the true nature of the relationship with his companion. Maybe afraid of hurting her. Maybe afraid of his own feelings. However, the chemistry between the two was obvious, and, she thought, gave more reason to envy her rival.

She watched as the pair faded in the distance; appearing mere specks before completely disappearing from view. She had only come here in hopes of spending more time with Kurosaki-kun, and yet, it seemed he'd disregarded her being there the entire time. Not that she expected to have his full attention amidst a group of his buddies or anything, but she couldn't help feeling disappointed in his detached goodbye. There was a time when you would have offered to walk me home. What happened, Kurosaki-kun?

"Ichigo! Stop being such an ass!" The black-haired girl at his side shouted at her comrade, irate. In case he didn't get the hint, she doubled the scolding with a punch to the face—holding back, though remaining forceful.

"What the hell was that for, bitch!" Apparently the punch wasn't effective enough.

"Idiot! You were totally rude back there to Inoue-san!" Her face demonstrated clear annoyance.

"Oh." His anger soon subsided and he reflected on his conduct during the get-together with his friends, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I guess I hadn't paid any attention. I'll apologize to her at school tomorrow."

"You weren't paying attention? What the hell is wrong with you, Ichigo?" Rukia's heated expression soon changed to one of concern.

"It's… nothing, really." Refusing to disclose his problems with his friend, he simply looked to the darkening sky; his mind once again plagued by an anguish none of his friends could ever understand.

The girl could only stare at her distressed comrade, unable to say or do anything to provide console. She became fixated on the reflection of the moon's light in his eyes, wondering what that moon could do to ease his suffering that she, nor any other, could. If only I were the moon; would you gaze upon me that way? Embarrassed for having ogled him for so long, Rukia turned her head back to her own feet and the path that lay ahead of them.

"Heeeey, Inoue-san! Why the long face?" The usually chipper Orihime snapped back to reality as Keigo probed her. "Oh no! Now that Ichigo is gone, even Orihime is forlorn! There's no need to feel uncomfortable or anything though, Inoue! I don't know what Ichigo's deal is tonight, but he sure can bring down the mood! Don't worry though! With Ichigo absent, we might actually have some fun around here!!!"

The young girl smiled unconvincingly, shivering in the night's air. With Rukia and Ichigo gone, her only remaining company was Ichigo's annoying, hyperactive side-kick; the rather dull, overconfident, four-eyed quincy, Ishida; Mizuiro, Ichigo's womanizing, more standoffish sidekick; and the absurdly quiet Sado. She really wasn't all too comfortable with Keigo at this point, having never spent much time socializing with her crush's friends, but her comrades being there gave her a sense of safety.

"I think this is where the fun ends for me. Sorry, Asano-san. See you all tomorrow." Mizuiro flashed a friendly smile at the group as Keigo's jaw dropped from the betrayal.

"You'll be sorry for this Mizuiro! And you will regret your lapse in judgment tomorrow at school, when we tell you how much fun we had! Unless we have so much fun, we don't even show up at school tomorrow!!" Mizuiro was unconvinced, waving back at his friend while simultaneously waving all the blabber he spouted away, as well.

Ishida stood. "I'm afraid I'll be taking my leave, as well. I have," he paused a moment to readjust his spectacles, "homework to do." With that, the quirky quincy disappeared into the night, sewing bag in tow.

Inoue tensed up a little now, with one of her friends gone. The presence of Sado put her a little at ease, though; he was familiar, someone she could trust. She'd fought beside him; heck, he'd even saved her a couple of times. His dark brown eyes shone with a kindness and regret for all the opponents he'd defeated; a regret which, he felt, was only justified by the threat they posed to his comrades and his need to protect them.

"Inoue, have you ever had sake?" An exuberant Keigo quizzed the girl, who looked visibly flabbergasted by the question. Her silence signified to Keigo that the answer was no. Unzipping his school bag and digging around a bit, Keigo revealed the bottles he'd stolen from his elder sister, looking quite pleased with himself for the thievery.

Sado looked at his classmate with some mix of curiosity and apprehension. "I don't think this is such a good idea. Besides, it's already twelve thirty, and it's a school night."

Keigo could only stare at Sado as if the words escaping his lips were foreign to him. He stared; he blinked; he stared; he blinked again. "Yeaaaaahhh… Okay." Readjusting his position as he sat, cross-legged on the grassy knoll (no, not talking about the "who shot JFK" grassy knoll), his eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You didn't seem to care last month when you took off from school with no explanation. Come on, live a little. You and Ichigo and Inoue and…" he shuddered with the next name, "God forbid, even Ishida; you're always taking off and having fun without me! Look, it's not going to kill you. We'll stay for a little while, and if you really don't like it, you can go home."

With his words of encouragement, he handed Sado a bottle of the mysterious brew. Sado wasn't entirely convinced, but, feeling pressured, he sighed in exasperation and took his first swig. It's not so bad, he thought to himself. I don't feel any different.

"Come on, Inoue. Try it," Keigo coerced, offering the girl her own drink.

She hesitated, reluctant to give in to the boy's notion of a "good time". "Just say no," the teachers would urge students in class. "No to what?" kids would inquire, wary of the unspecific warning. "No to everything," they would reply. This, of course, only tempted students even more, giving them a sense of danger in engaging in something "forbidden".

Finally, though, she extended her hand and seized the brew from his, slowly bringing it to her lips and glancing at Sado for reassurance. His eyes met hers, still a bit uncertain himself, but giving her a sense of protection in case anything should go wrong. She tilted the bottle upward and the liquid tickled her throat as it made its journey downstream.

It wasn't so bad, she thought. It wasn't so good, either—but it wasn't so bad.