Author's Note: This is a spinoff of a fanfiction called, "Bleached" that was written by my dear friend, xtainedx3l0vex, and I. Starting off as a shot in the dark (similar to the original fanfic), I ended up really liking how it turned out. And with a lot convincing, I finally decided to post this. If you end up enjoying this read, go visit xtaintedx3l0vex's account to find the original it's based off of. She will also be posting her spinoff very soon. I'm addicted to reviews, so please indulge me!

Chapter One

I had opened my eyes and realized how dark the room was. It darker than any room I had ever slept in. Stretching out, I winced in discomfort. The bed was far too hard to be any of the couches that I always slept on. I sat up and hit my head on a slab of wood suspended over me. "Ow!" I exclaimed as I reached up to rub my head only to find that my wrists were shackled. Questioning in both fear and confusion, I yelled, "What the Hell?!" I couldn't believe what was going on as I rolled out of the cot. Stumbling around in the darkness, I came to halt when I found cold metal bars preventing my escape. It occurred to me that I was holding cell and I couldn't help but to feel afraid "Hello?!" I hollered as I started beating my cuffs against the bars, trying to gain anyone's attention.

This process lasted for several minutes until a light flickered on and two figures made their way down a set of stairs. "She seems to be awake." a male voice remarked softly. A woman with long black hair fashioned in a braid on top of her chest appeared before me first. My eyes widened upon seeing her. She looked familiar; although, I couldn't put my finger on where I'd seen her before. The man who I had overheard made his appearance next. He had short, wavy brown hair and wore black rimmed glasses. Both of these people wore strange clothing but only the woman was wearing a white overcoat. "It's good to see that you're finally awake, Miss." the man said as he smiled warmly in my direction. "Yeah, thanks. Where am I?" I asked anxiously, ignoring the friendly gesture. "You're in the Fourth Division stockades." the woman informed softly. I took a step back and looked at her with great bewilderment. "What am I doing in jail?!" I raised my voice, demanding answers, "What's with the division number? Is that like a security level, or something?"

The two looked to one another, silently questioning what I had asked them. Turning back to face me, the woman informed gravely, "Miss, you're in the Fourth Squad of the Gotei 13." My mind was spinning in utter confusion. This situation was too surreal. I cleared my throat in an attempt to regain my composure. I looked to them with wide eyes and trailed off, unable to believe anything, "So you two really are…" The pair watched me carefully with disbelief as I pieced everything together. "And this is the…with the…oh, Lord." I mumbled loud enough for them to hear. "Perhaps I should check her vitals." the black-haired woman suggested, looking insistently to her comrade. "It's alright, Captain Unohana." the man assured and then questioned me, "Do you understand what situation you are in?" "No…?" I inquired slowly with uncertainty. "You're being charged as a Ryoka." the woman clarified delicately. "I don't even know how I got here." I stated in shock as it was all beginning to sink in. The brown-haired man asked curiously, "What do you mean by that? You don't know how you broke into the Seireitei?" "Look, Mister Aizen, I—" I stopped speaking as I noticed the look on their faces. They glanced at each other worriedly.

Panic began to settle in my chest as I could only imagine what they were thinking. "Did I say something wrong?" I inquired timidly. "A minute ago you had no idea who we were." Unohana responded carefully. She gave me a look which told me she was having a hard time believing anything I said. I defended seriously, "No. I thought I lost my marbles but, clearly, this is the real deal." "Indeed, this is a serious matter." Aizen retorted in a matter-of-fact way. "How serious?" I questioned as I grew more concerned. "Your life is at stake." the black-haired woman answered somberly. "But…why? I don't understand. I didn't do anything." I nearly pleaded, fear crept into my voice. "You broke into the Seireitei without raising the alarm. That is something that has never been accomplished…It is also the reason you are still alive right now." Aizen explained as if he were intrigued by idea. Unohana continued, "Typically, Ryoka are to be terminated on sight." "I couldn't hurt a fly even if I wanted to." I attempted to defend myself against these wild accusations. The brown-haired cocked an eyebrow at my response and inquired thoughtfully, "Then what are you doing here?"

"I'm beginning to wonder that myself…" I trailed off in slight defeat. "Lieutenant Aizen, she obviously does not have any memory of how she entered the Seireitei undetected." the woman concluded, seemingly on my side. Aizen shook his head, he did not agree. "It doesn't make any sense, Captain Unohana." the man commented and insisted, "She knows something." "But she doesn't appear to be a threat." Unohana deduced as they looked at me simultaneously. I raised my shackled wrists and nodded in their direction as I mentioned, "You're right about one thing…these really aren't necessary." The two looked at each other, both considering everything I had said. Aizen folded his arms over his chest and looked down, deep in thought. It was silent for only a moment before he returned his gaze to Unohana. The brown-haired man asked with doubt in his voice, "How are we to explain this to the Head-Captain?" "She's innocent until proven guilty." Unohana answered simply. Aizen looked back at me and attempted to understand this situation. He remarked, "But there's no evidence. No alibis—nothing…"

I began to concentrate on studying the two Soul Reapers before me. Trying to find something, anything, that would help my defense, I silently observed them. The black-haired woman suggested in subtle manner, "I think it's best if we keep an eye on her." "That is a must, but…with due respect, we can't observe her in a cell, Ma'am." Aizen acknowledged tactfully. Unohana nodded in agreement. She inquired thoughtfully, "What do you suggest then?" "I can talk to my Captain about taking her off your hands." the brown-haired man offered sincerely. I must have made a disconcerting sound, perhaps implying I wasn't thrilled about Aizen's idea, because their attention shifted back to me. "Unless you have a better idea?" the lieutenant asked me almost mockingly. Taken aback by Aizen's tone, my eyes were on the floor as I suggested sheepishly, "Maybe Yamamoto should be making this kind of decision..." "You know of the Head-Captain?" Unohana prodded lightly. "Not personally, but he's in charge, isn't he?" I replied to her question with my own, still eyeing the floor. The Captain of the Fourth Division agreed rationally, "You present a valid point. I will inform the Head-Captain of this strange Ryoka. Lieutenant Aizen, I believe that you are due back to your division." She looked at me sympathetically before turning away to leave. Aizen replied simply, "Yes, Ma'am." He followed Unohana's lead, leaving me alone once again. Releasing a deep and dreary sigh, I turned back to the cot and sat down. This was nothing like how I thought it would be.