"Nanami-san! Could you fetch me a bucket of water?"
I smiled sweetly at my neighbour. "Hai, Kazimi-sama!"
The mid-aged lady scoffed. "No formalities, Nanami-san. I've known you since you were 3! You can call me Mizuki, you know?"
"Eh?" I tilted my head. "Okay...Mizuki-san." And then I hurried to fetch that bucket of water she had asked for.
*~*~*~*~*~
I grunted lightly as I hoisted the heavy bucket up. I sighed, putting it on the ground.
"I'll just rest a bit," I said to myself, sitting down. The well was rather far from where I lived, Rukongai 26. Yes, the poor area. I lived with my mother, just us two. And occasionally our neighbours, especially Kazim-...Mizuki-san. I didn't mind being where I was, Rukongai suited me well. My brother, Hajime, used to be with us, but he graduated from Shinigami Academy and is currently the 3rd seat of the 6th Division, under Byakuya Kuchiki.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? A little girl? All by herself?"
I froze at the sound of the evil voice. Forcing my head to turn, I saw exactly what I had feared. "H-Hollow..." My eyes widened when it lashed out at me. Knocking over the bucket, I jumped up and ran. I picked up the hem of my white dress so I could run better.
I can't go back home! I'll lead it to Okaa-san and Mizuki-san!
Instinctively, I ran the opposite way of my home. The Hollow followed, to my relief. Then I realized that I couldn't run forever.
"Kukuku...I love it when my prey runs!" the Hollow cackled, attempting to stab me like a shish kabob with its claw. It missed, though the impact sent the ground flying up. I tripped and rolled into a tree trunk. I winced as my back and ankle throbbed painfully. Pushing myself up again, I sprinted away, a bit slower now that I had sprained my ankle.
Run, run, run!
"You won't get away!" The voice was so close!
I glanced over my shoulders. The Hollow had disappeared! Slowing down a stop, I looked around frantically. Nothing...
"Spiral, Fukiju!"
I gasped as a very familiar zanpakuto found its way into the Hollow's mask. It gave a pitiful shriek, stumbling out from the tree that it had been hiding in, before dissolving into particles. I watched in awe as he picked the sword up.
The owner of the zanpakuto looked at me. "Are you alright, Nanami?"
I nodded. "Hai...Hajime."