A/N: This is a Christmas present for SAMMIC. Who asked me to write a one-shot of her and Chad. Well, as you can see. It has turned out to be much longer than a one-shot. XC Anyone is allowed to read it. In fact I encourage it. I love Constructive Criticism and reviews even more. It is currently 20 pages long and increasing everyday. I will update every four to five days…relying on the fact that Christmas is around the corner. An yes, to make Sam beg. XD Kidding…truth is, I'm lazy and I rarely update anyway. But more reviews equals faster updates. I warn you now. I have no idea where I'm going with this, except I plan on finishing this before anything else. I may continue with Vincent's Valentine, but like I said. MORE REVIEWS PEOPLE! DX Okay, now that I've taken up enough of your time I'll let you continue with the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Chad or any other Character's from Bleach. And sadly, I don't even own the main Character. But I wish I did.

I laid in the shade the maple tree above me provided, basking in the cool breeze. The wind blew through the grass bringing the scent of summer in its wake. I looked above me as the clouds wafted by, their destination never-ending. How I envied their freedom, being able to see the world. Never ceasing, going on and on viewing the world in all its glory. A little smile crept to my face as I reveled in the knowledge that all things do come to an end. Even clouds that look impenetrable go back to the sea when the time comes. Oh, how I dream of being able to have adventures of my own.

Closing my eyes I let myself wonder aimlessly, getting lost in my thoughts. I thought back to a few days before, remembering over and over again the strange occurrence. That had shook the very foundation I had built around my very existence. I recalled the events in my mind looking back at how one dream can determine your whole existence.

I ran, ran as fast as I could, my breath coming in deep and fast. Fear was all around me, choking me, grasping at me with his invisible fingers, cutting off my air as I struggled onward.' He was leaving! I..I had to catch him! I never got to tell him. Why…Why did everyone I care about leave? He promised! My friend, my confidante, he promised and now he was breaking that promise.' I ran faster as I felt the demons breathe at my back, their whispers scratching at my thoughts.

'I wasn't going to make it! He was leaving and I would never get to say it.' I screamed, forcing myself to go further, just a little further. I ran through the dense forest surrounding me, my lungs burning. Tripping through the brushes, I reached my hand out to break my fall. I closed my eyes and fell to my knees. My body wracked with pain, my lungs breathing in the oxygen I desperately needed. I went to stand to keep on running but my legs gave out, I shrieked as I fell back to the ground.

'No! I need to keep moving! He'll leave if I don't go!' I struggled to get to my feet but my legs defied me. I sat there, unconscious of the tears running down my face. I sat there for what seemed like hours, crying, crying filled with self-loathing, crying with no intent on stopping. I leaned forward on to the balls of my hands and stared at the ground in front of me. 'Why would he leave without saying goodbye? Surely I meant something to him? Yes, I know I did, even if it was just a little bit.'

As I sat there, my surroundings became clearer and with it my despair. He was gone. By now, he would be on his way to save the world. 'Please, please be safe.' I could feel tears gather but I was determined not to cry. 'Please…'

'Samantha…'

I stopped and looked around me. Did someone say my name?

'Samantha!'

I jerked. Wait…I knew that voice. I gasped as I realized who it was and forced my self to get up. I ran towards the voice, trying not to trip over my own feet.

"I'm here!" I yelled trying to find the source of the voice. "Here!" I stumbled and went down for the second time that night.

As I stared at the dirt, I didn't hear the footsteps as they came to a stop in front of me. I gasped as I saw someone kneel in front of and take my chin into their hand. I looked up and my eyes began to fill with tears.

"Chad!"

I reeled as my mind thrust me back into the present. I thought back, once again to the dream. I tried to recall the man's face, but as all things, it eluded my grasp. What did he look like? Why was that dream so vivid in my mind? Did it mean something? Or was I just overly stressed?

I burst into giggles, laughing at myself. Oh yeah, I was stressed, that was it. I'm dreaming of running around in a panic for a guy I have never met because I'm stressed. I snorted, crinkling my nose. Yeah, that was it. I looked up at the sky, gasping and jumping to my feet, realizing what time it is.

I rushed to the house, mentally beating myself. My siblings were probably in bed by now. Shit! I didn't help my mom with dinner! I groaned. I was so screwed. My father would be getting home soon. Double crap! I just hoped my mom was in a good mood.

I walked up past the gate and slowly made my way to the front door. I could tell, by the light in the kitchen, that my mom was already doing the dishes which was my chore every night after supper. I opened the door, squared my shoulders and went in.

The instant I stepped in the door the tantalizing aroma of ham flittered past my nose, taunting me as I made my way to the kitchen to apologize. I snuck a glance around the doorframe and stood there indecisive on what to do next.

Unfortunately, I did not have to decide.

"Sam!" I jumped five feet in the air as my mom quickly turned around to face me. " Where have you been? Your brother's had to do all your work today. What have you been up to?" She said this last bit a little louder than the rest and stood there with her hands on her hips.

I stood there looking at the ground, reluctant to tell her I had fallen asleep out in the woods again. " I'm sorry, Mom." I said, trying my best to look repentant. " I lost track of the time. It won't happen again." I looked at her imploring her with my eyes to believe me.

I could see her temper rising and quickly thought of an excuse to get out of there quick. "Um, Mom? I really am sorry. I know you hate it when I run off and completely shun my duties, but it really won't happen again." As I was saying this, I saw lights from my dad's truck pull in the driveway. My eyes widened. Could it get any worse. It seemed my mom noticed the same time I did.

She sighed, "You're right. It won't happen again." She said as she walked over to me, pushing me out of the kitchen before I could ask her what she meant.

I quickly ran over to sit on the windowsill on the opposite side of the dining room. At that instant I could hear my Father open the front door and step across the threshold. I knew he would be tired, for he had just turned in from another day on the fields.

As a farmer, he rarely came home before the sun retired for another cold night to take its place. I often wondered why he slaved on that piece of land, driving blood, sweat, and desperation into the hard packed soil. He never gave up on the hope that this would be the year the crops would take fruit. I watched from my perch on the window as he came forward and sat down at the table.

"Father, When are you going to let me help you out in the fields?" I Asked as I watched my father take off his cap and sit it on the table next to him.

Father looked over at me, he opened is mouth about to respond, but before he could get the words out, my mother walked in and set a plate of food before him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. I sat there in silence as he dug in. We had argued over this before and I knew he was biding his time before I forced him to answer.

He finished his food and finally glanced in my direction. "Samantha, I think it would be best if you went to visit some relatives over in Japan." As he said this I grew colder with every word spoken.

I controlled my features and calmly stood up. "Daddy, what are you saying?" Inside I felt torn and betrayed. All I wanted to do was help out, and this is what I get! Carted off like unwanted baggage!

" I think it would be good for you. You're Uncle is a well known Doctor throughout Japan and You could get an education. Make friends your own age, you'll love it there." He stood up and walked over to Mom. "Your mother already called."

Mother, of course it would be her to plant that seed in his head. Lately, I had begun to notice that my mom had been acting strange. It was as if sometimes she wasn't even my mother anymore. Even my brothers tried to stay away from her lately. I stopped my thoughts and listened to what Dad was saying.

"He'll be happy to pay for your trip up there. We'll go into town tomorrow and buy you the things you'll need for the trip." He took an arm and wrapped it around my mother's shoulders. Looking at me as if it was already decided.

I looked from him to my mother, she just looked at me with a sorrowful expression on her face, my father's showed stubbornness and determination. My face was empty, while my eyes showed fiercely with my defiance. "NO! I'm not going! Why are you doing this? All I wanted was to help you in the field. Are you doing this to hurt me?" I shouted these words like barbs trying to get some emotion while I tried to keep mine in check. It seemed as if the whole world laughed as I stood there, mentally screaming for all this to be a sick joke.

Dad took his arm and walked around the table to stand directly in front of me. He then did something totally unexpected. He slapped me. I gasped from the floor where I had fallen, looking at him with so many emotions ripping through, I was surprised I could breath. My dad never hit me. I felt blood dripping off my chin and went to wipe it away.

"Listen, Samantha, and listen good. We love you, but there is only o much a parent can take. Running off and coming in late. Talking back, and arguing with your mother. And How do you get it in your mind I would let a girl help me in the fields? You're weak! You're a little spoiled heathen who only wants things her way! You are going to your Uncle's and you better be good while your there. If I get any kind of phone calls from him saying anything about your behavior. I'll disown you! You'll never hear from your Mother or your brother's again." He grabbed the front of my shirt, hauling me to my feet and right in front of his face.

I stood there silently with tears streaming down my face wondering how long, he could have possibly felt this way. 'You're wrong. You're wrong' I desperately wanted to shout those words at him, but I couldn't get my voice to work. Why? All I ever wanted to do was help, not make it worse. Was I really such a burden on my family?

He shook me, his face growing a dark shade of purple. "Do you understand me?" I nodded, steeling myself against his tirade. As I stood there listening o him I wondered why my mother didn't stop him. Is she the reason for this? Is she the reason my father hit me? Why is she just standing there? I looked over and my blood ran cold. She's smiling? Shocked, I stood there and just stared at her. She noticed and turned her eyes to look at me. I drew in a sharp, deep breath and screamed.

My Father stopped in his tirade and let go of me and took a step back. "What the hell?" He drew back his fist and hit me. I didn't even feel it. I screamed and screamed until my lungs burned with fire. Dad took his fist and struck me in the temple, successively throwing me to the ground. I watched as everything around me went black, the only thing I saw were eyes, cold black eyes.

And thus the first chapter of 'The Night's Are Colder' unfold.

And, yes Sammi. I know you said you didn't want to read 'til it's finished, But I couldn't help Myself! SO BITE ME!! ………….ILU……………….

Please keep in tuned for Chapter 2!!!

AND REVIEWS ARE HELPFUL!!! Thank you for your understanding.