I do not own Bleach or any of their characters. All props go to Tite Kubo.
I do however own my characters, territories, ideas, and everything else that is not originally included in the Bleach story.

My name is Yua Kurotsuchi, and I'm eighteen years old.

I reside in the Cascabel Manor with my dad and family friends. The Cascabel Manor is in the second Torture district, and I find it to be... Alright. Though the man who owns this place is creepy, it's still livable.

"Yua, eat your vegetables," Yumaki said to me, "They're good for you."

I rolled my eyes when she turned away to gather more yarn to knit. A calm demeanor from this woman is something that cannot be mistaken for the true spitfire she really was. I knew how to eat my vegetables, I just wasn't in the mood for spinach, not that I didn't like it or anything. I wasn't a child, and I definitely didn't need to be told what to eat.

"Step up your game Yua," Tanoshi said, eating his vegetables. His sister, Sana nodded sarcastically while joining him in the joke. Sana was sixteen now, her birthday being a few days ago. Though still in the midst of being slightly mature and immature at the same time, she was a very good friend.

Not unlike Tanoshi who only teased me constantly. I've never in my life come up with a plan to kill someone, but Tanoshi makes me want to.

Even though he also made me want to commit suicide, it was odd to see him in the mansion. He was usually training alone or with MiroTano.

Ignoring the two, I turned from the long table to Yumaki, "Where's my dad?"

"He said he went to the Meido District for something," Yumaki replied turning to me.

"Can I go to the Meido District?" I asked.

"No," MiroTano said entering the dining room.

"Aw, why not?" I asked.

"You know why Yua, it's too dangerous." Yumaki said looking up from her unfinished blanket.

"That's not fair, I'm eighteen years old!" I said.

"Yua, you know what happened last time while you were there," MiroTano told me, shooting a look at Tanoshi. This made him look down at his finished lunch.

"Like I said, I'm eighteen. That happened like six years ago." I said to him.

"Five. It happened five years ago." MiroTano replied, "Your father said to never allow you back there, and I'm not willing to break my word."

I groaned loudly at his words while a maid took away our plates.

MiroTano shook his head in annoyance and looked at Yumaki. She spoke, "Ever since you've reached your teen years Yua, your angst has yet to leave you."

Clearly offended with the rude words, I got up from my chair and roughly pushed it in noisily, "Whatever, I bet if my mom were here, she would understand."

With that I left the dining room to the nearest hallway. Within the echo, I heard Sana ask if I'll be fine to Yumaki. I didn't hear what she said, but my mood asked me: Does fine mean wanting to melt into my bed and live a meaningless life in my bed sheets? If so, then yes. Yes I am absolutely, perfectly, irrevocably fine.

My bed was all that I needed right now. I reached my room after a lengthy trail, opening the door. My room was a mess, so I didn't bother to turn on the light to look at the product of my sheer laziness.

Before climbing into bed, I climbed over the mass of destruction within my room and took off the damned dress I was forced to wear. The head Cascabel, or Ego's father, made the girls wear these freakin' gowns that made us look medieval. They were beautiful nonetheless, just extremely uncomfortable.

My dress was a gold, long sleeved abomination with leaf patterns. My hair had to be up painfully at all times, and I was forced to wear earrings that went with it.

When we first came here and I had to start wearing these things, I was exhilarated. I had always wanted to look like a princess, and even now I looked like a young queen. But honestly, this is bull crap. I'm tired of it. My scalp is tired, and so are my ribs that are crushed beneath the corset from within this thing.

Slipping out of the dress and undoing the corset, I was finally free. I could actually take a deep breath and move for the first time since this morning!

I took off my earrings and set them in a jewelry box then undid my hair. My hair was brown and too thin for me. It grew fast, but I would have it cut so it didn't grow too long and stayed at elbow-length.

My scalp pulsated and I fell right into bed. I rubbed my head and looked out at the evening sunshine. I wasn't exactly sure why I brought up my mother, but I also wasn't quite sure why no one did. Where was she? My dad had told me that she was looking for someone and would not give up until she found him, but it's been so long. I don't even remember what she looked like.

Tears burned in my eyes. What if she left and made another family? If she cared the slightest, she would have at least visited! I clenched my fists and to my distaste, the tears in my eyes escaped. I sighed, wiping them away. She was probably in trouble somewhere far.

I had paid many visits to the Meido District with Tanoshi and Sana before we were caught by my dad. You see, none of us are allowed to leave without permission, and especially not to places like the Meido District. The Meido District is not the same as it used to be. It's completely desolate and terrorized.

Sure, we lived there when I was a baby, but that was then. Tanoshi had told me that the place used to be covered in flowers and other beautiful scenery with a bright blue sky in the daytime and a starry night sky. The first time he took me there, he was proven wrong. Everything was dead. The only thing that stood there was a statue of Hakubi-sama. Well at least that's what my dad told me when I asked.

After I got caught, that is.

I scoffed at my father's overprotective self. The only thing that even happened was the fact that we were surrounded by demons. We so could have took them too! But my dad showed up out of no where with Kaili, Han, and more. Even Yun, who was a little younger than Tanoshi.

I got yelled at too, but not as much as Tanoshi did. My dad can't just stay mad at me, from what I've learned with my past experiences. It's just... Hard for him. I'm his only daughter, and heir for that matter.

Still staring out the window, my eyes moved to Tanoshi. He was back outside again, but not training or whatever he did. Since this was a manor, it had a farm that had to be tended to. We had Hell hounds and Oxen trained for that, and we had brought in this season's produce just yesterday.

... Explaining why I was eating spinach with my lunch.

I shivered as I realized that I was watching Tanoshi, for goodness sake, he practically was drooled upon by all the little Cascabel prepubescent girls, and Yun.

Yun tries to flirt with him all the time, but she tries too hard. Tanoshi usually averts his eyes uncomfortably and sashays away from her raven-haired beautiful self. And of course, afterwards I'm the shoulder she cries on while I pat her back saying 'There there'.

I rolled my eyes. I seem to do that a lot, especially today. The second Tanoshi wiped his forehead and took off his torso, I looked away. I was not going to catch myself staring at him. He without a doubt has grown in the direction of his father. Pure muscle.

I got up from my bed and closed the shutters, removing any light.

Climbing back into my comfortable bed that was fit for a queen, I snuggled into my pillows nearly falling asleep until my door burst open, loudly.

"Yua!" Came a voice. It was Yun. She flicked on the light, blinding me.

"My God, girl get a grip and clean your room!" She commented. I groaned, "What do you want?"

"Yua, I think you need a makeover." Yun said gliding over to the edge of my bedside. She stood tall and beautiful in a light pink gown. Her face was flawless and her jet black hair fell down her backside in slight curls. She must have just taken down her hair.

"A.. Makeover?" I asked. I really hope she was talking about my room. I didn't need another low blow today - it was bad enough that Tanoshi called me stinky and ugly, and he's a guy! A twenty year old man.

"Yes! But the only thing your perfect face needs is makeup, and I just returned from the Central Market, and I got the best deals! Then, I went into my room and undid my hair, making me realize that I should help you out. A generous deed on my part, really, I -"

"I don't want one. I'm fine." I replied. How embarrassing. One of the most gorgeous girls coming to me saying I need a makeover. What a way to rub it in my face, even if she was being nice about it. My face definitely was not perfect, and a makeover wouldn't be enough anyway.

I tried wearing makeup once, but it was too long ago, and I wasn't ready to pull it off. My confidence was crushed when my dad urged Yumaki to scrub it off of my face while Tanoshi called me a clown.

"Oh c'mon Yua, you'll look great, I promise!" Yun pleaded. I sighed, but was also curious of the possible comments I could get now being eighteen years old.

"Come back in about two hours, I'm dying for a nap." I told Yun. She squealed and clapped. Waltzing over to my door, she opened it and turn to face me again, "You won't be sorry," She winked then turned off my light. With that, she left.

I sighed heavily. I wasn't ready, and I wasn't sure if my dad was ready for his little girl to start wearing makeup. I said this with complete sarcasm by the way. I'm sick of being treated like I'm a child. Sana is sixteen, and she's an adult in comparison to me.

If makeup was the first step to being treated like a grown up, then so be it. The athletic girl would also look nice, if that's what Yun plans on doing.

I rolled over in my bed onto something hard and cold. I lifted it from beneath me, seeing it as the dagger I used for a weapon on this journey of growing up. Dad told me it was a gift from Rasajouji and it had power that I had yet to unleash.

I have been meaning to visit Rasajouji, but dad wouldn't let me. It was too dangerous or something similar to it. I moved the dagger to beneath my pillow to wait for the dagger-fairy to come and sweep me away... Or for sleep to come.

Sleep did come.

Yun smiled brightly at me as she applied the last bit of makeup onto my eyes. I was faced away from my vanity, so I couldn't see what I looked like.

"Stunning," Yun said to both me and herself. She grabbed my hand and dragged me towards my closet, leaving it impossible to catch the slightest glimpse of what lie upon my face.

"You need an evening gown to make all of you look amazing," She said rummaging through my dresses. Her eyes spotted the one I hate the absolute most. A puffy black gown with ruffles flowing down. Its sleeves would drape off of my shoulders, and it made me feel uncomfortable. This is why I never wore it.

She pulled it off the hanger and lifted it up to get an even better view. Her smile lit up the room, "This is the one."

I sighed, "Yay me." I replied sarcastically. My head was hurting again because my hair was back up. It was different from the way I usually did it, but this was Yun's specialty.

She helped me into a tight corset, and put me in the dress. My Meido symbol still showed, but only halfway, where the usual dresses I wore covered it. Yun left my closet and quickly grabbed a pair of fancy earrings that went with the gown. I put them into my ears and I was sprayed with perfume.

In my face.

I coughed, "What the hell?" I asked, tasting the gross chemicals.

"Sorry," Yun said, "I didn't only get your face. I picked this up from the Central Market today, and I fell in love with the scent. I'm pretty sure everyone else will too!"

I did like the smell, but me, being self conscious didn't think anyone else would. Yun turned me around towards my vanity. It was a ways away, and I could hardly make out my features as she stood in front of me, pulling me towards it while she walked backwards. Once we were directly in front of it, she moved out of the way and behind me.

I gasped at the dramatic change.

I looked like... A woman! Yun was clearly a miracle worker, as I've never felt so embarrassed and scared in my life. What would my dad think?

"Stop looking so afraid!" Yun said to me.

"I can't!" I replied. I couldn't help but notice the glazed over look I had in my eyes. I'm pretty sure it was from the perfume. The mascara and eye shadow was dark and really brought out my mint colored eyes. I wasn't crazily toned, and it fit my tan skin perfectly.

Hearing a knock at my door, Yun answered it. A maid told her that it was time for dinner. I nearly shrieked, terrified. God, why was I like this? I never turned heads or caught anyone in awe. No one gazed at me, and I didn't even feel pretty. But who knew that something like makeup would be absolute magic to me.

Unless that wasn't really me?

"I know, I'm good." Yun bragged, "Now let's go meet everyone at dinner and show them what you've got!"

My eyes snapped wide. The things they might possibly say frightened me but excited me at the same time. Usually I'm by myself whenever someone picks a fight or argument with me, but Yun was with me in this one.

I nodded and we left my room.

Stalking the hallway towards the dining room, Yun threw me a thumbs up. Was I shaking? Oh crap, I was shaking! I held my hands in front of me, interlocking them tightly.

We finally entered the dining room, seeing Yumaki, Sana, and many of the Cascabel members all seated systematically in the same spots as always. Yumaki glanced at me for half a second, before returning her eyes wide, "Oh Yua, look at you!"

I wasn't sure if she was being sarcastic or not until she spoke again, "You look absolutely gorgeous,"

Well that's a first.

She was kidding right?

I sat down in my seat in front of Sana and Yun sat in the chair to her right. Silver plates were already placed for us, and we waited for the servers to serve us.

Tanoshi and MiroTano walked in at the same time, sitting in their spots. Tanoshi unfortunately had the pleasure of sitting directly in front of me. I closed my eyes and looked down, preparing for what insults he was going to throw at me this evening.

To my surprise, he didn't say anything. Not yet at least.

The chair to my right remain empty, even when the Head Cascabel came out and the food was brought to us. My dad still hadn't come back from the Meido District.

I fixed my plate and ate silently.

"Yua, you look just like your mother." MiroTano said to me. I suddenly felt all eyes on me. I looked up for the first time, eyes connecting with Tanoshi's for a few dreadful moments before I moved my eyes to his father, thanking him.

I continued to feel Tanoshi's eyes on me. I did my best to ignore him by asking Yumaki, "When is my dad going to be back?"

"Either sometime late tonight or in the morning," Yumaki replied.

I nodded, lifting my eyes to meet Tanoshi's again, "Stop staring," I said to him while finishing my plate. I heard him grunt.

I finished my food quicker than many had, and I even had seconds. I excused myself from the dining room and Sonidoed to my room. I took of the dress, placing it back on the hanger, hiding it deeper in the closet, hopefully to never be worn again.

I undid my hair, though I kept the makeup on.

What was with Tanoshi at dinner? This was the first time in a while that he didn't say anything smart, and not to mention how he stared at me, slightly gaping, That itself made me want to smack him, but Tanoshi always stared at me. Usually when he did, he made me feel like absolute shit, staring at me to watch my emotions eat me from the inside, finding everything so amusing. But this time it was just... Different. It was his expression that said anything but an insult.

When Yun put this clown-wear on my face, she decided to clean my room while she was at it. I had just shrugged and let her continue. Now I could freely roam my room, however I roamed to the candles in my room, lighting them with the flick of a Cero that beamed white.

I opened the shutters to open my window a bit, and walked over to my light, turning it off. I was tired and full. That only means one thing: a good night's sleep.

I scurried to my bed, hopping in. I was too tired to shower tonight, so I would do that tomorrow. Tomorrow was a Monday. A training day. Hopefully dad will be home by tonight so we can train in the morning.

My heavy eyelids got the best of my, and I drifted off to a pleasant sleep.

Yay

First chapter to my threquel!

R&R