I do not own Bleach sadly. This story contains a few Ocs so if you don't like that don't read it but if your willing to please give it a chance. Also please Read and review, tell me if you think it's good or rubbish I don't mind (although constructive criticisms would be helpful.) If you have any good ideas of what could happen please tell me (I often get really stuck for ideas after a while.)

I looked at my suitcase sitting tidily next to me, its contents lacked the evidence that the owner of the small suitcase would not be returning home, that was me. Things had been a little rough lately with my Father being so busy and my younger sister finding out she was the new heir to our family and having no time to do anything besides gloat about it in front of me. My father had always disliked me from the moment of my birth, while my mother was around he would claim he loved me more than the earth itself but when she was not in the room his true intentions were shown. His dislike for me had only greatened after the death of my dearest mother, whose presence was like the beautiful, inspiration of the northern lights to a dying passenger of a sinking ship. I suppose I should have known that her death would be blamed on me, after all who else could he blame but me? He could not blame Ame for she was God's greatest gift to the world (apparently) and everyone should bow to her greatness, even though she was a snotty, stuck up eleven year old with no understanding of the outside world. It was just after my mother's death when it started to happen, after being forced into a reality where in I had killed my mother I began to feel a pain. It began slowly, seeping through my arms and legs like poison until finally it reached my heart, making it beat so fast I was sure my fate was to die there, alone in my bedroom, no one would look for me, no one would find me for days. The second time I had it was in the school bathrooms, each time it happened I did not pass out, I merely watched myself shaking uncontrollably as my heart ran riot within my unstable body. It happened several times after that, each time it got worse until finally my exhaustion would force me not to be able to stand at all. The last time it happened was in my father's untidy study, watched by him and Ame, he had looked more inconvenienced than worried, in fact I was sure this was his plan, a way to get me out of his beautiful home. That night we sat at the dining table together, all three of us in silence, for the first time since my mother's departure to the land of the dead. I sat looking at my hands knowing what it was about.

"Alysse (Alice) I believe it would be best for you if we sent you to your uncles." He said in a kindness that was not real, nor was it fake, it was merely impassionate, a voice used only by actors when forcing kindness. More convenient for you I had thought in an anger I had never felt before.

"Which uncle?" I had replied in a solemn voice, usually he would have shouted at me for speaking when I was not required to, but realised the error of his ways before he spoke again, realising his ambiguity.

"Your Uncle Jiro." Jiro was my father's younger brother and in my fathers view the runt of the family, unworthy of my father's time. I had also never liked Jiro, not because of my father's view of him but Jiro was the type of man who, like my father, manipulated people and spoke ill of those he did not know. I did not let my distaste for the man show on my pale, ill face instead I nodded. This was the reason I was stood at the airport ready to be picked up by my uncle. Despite the fact that I was half Japanese (on my father's side of the family.) I had never visited the country, everything was new to me except for the language, mother and I would often speak it to one another to improve it. Being educated at home while she was alive meant that I learnt a lot more things such as languages, business management (even though I was only at the age of ten, it seemed important to my father that I knew it well.) art, art history and geography (to the point where I could point out minor villages on our map.)

"Ah, there's my favourite niece." Said my Uncle Jiro, as though I had not just basically been exiled from my own house. He was trying to make it so people would not talk, not that it mattered; no one knew that we were from the Hanakura family; we were too bland, too boring to be in the 'magnificent' Hanakura family. "Come now child, do you not speak?" I nodded and apologised in a quiet voice to him, he scowled at me, showing irritation as he normally did with me when we were alone. We got into the car in silence, me not daring to speak for I could feel my heart rate picking up and he just seemed oblivious, keeping his eyes on the quiet road ahead of us. By the time we reached his home my palpitations had stopped and I could feel my body calming again into its normal rhythm. His house was small but homely, with roses winding their way up the house and flowers surrounding the house like a gate, it was like a fairy tale cottage, when I told him so he smiled at me, a really smile this time not a fake one to impress the crowds, I could feel that we may in fact become friends if I stayed honest and kind. Next door to his house, though a little bit away stood a small wooden shop with two children playing (though I suspected that they were supposed to be sweeping due to the brushes they held in their hands.) The young girl looked sweet and innocent with a child like flush in her pink cheeks, while the boy had a fiery attitude to go with his flame red hair.

"Come Alysse or do you wish to stay in the car all day?" Jiro asked me with a smile still plastered on his lips.

"I am sorry." I replied in a more confident voice smiling with equal shine back at him. "I have never been to Japan and so I feel inclined to at least take a little bit of it in before returning in doors." The man laughed again his same chiming laugh, like a large bell sounding.

"You will have plenty of time to take in Karakura town." He laughed but then his eyes darkened and his face too. "But first we must speak of your condition." I looked down at my feet in worry, yes my condition had been getting worse, so bad in fact that last time I had the pain and palpitations I had not removed myself from bed for a day and a half, refusing to eat or have anyone visit me.

"I see." I replied sadly following the man into his fairy cottage of a home.

The inside of the house was more surprising than the outside; it was dressed like a traditional English cottage, with the sweet little plates and the ornaments of farm animals. The table that we sat on with a mug of tea was large and thick, like railroad sleeper or some ones front door.

"Your father" The mention of my father brought a tint of anger to my uncle's calm voice, making me wince at both the mention of the man and the loathing in my uncle's voice. "Has offered me money to keep you." He said keeping no secrets between us, I nodded, and though I had not known this I suspected it to be true. "In return he wants me to make sure you are safe and healthy." This I could see was a lie, his eyes moved from side to side, suspiciously, until finally he found somewhere he could focus on that was not analysing him. "He wishes for you to find out what is wrong with you and if need be he will pay for the operation." This was sadly also a lie and I felt my heart go cold. I looked at the man wondering what I should say or do.

"Tell me Uncle." I said in a kind soft voice, letting him know I was not judging him, he must have a good reason to lie to me. "Did he say I could return?" At this my uncle looked incredibly uncomfortable, I could see his eyes piercing me, wondering what he should do. "I see." I replied before he could get too flustered. "I am sorry that he has forced me upon you dearest uncle, I will leave as soon as possible if you wish for me too." I smiled at him walmingly, letting him know that it was ok if he wanted me to leave, however inside I was screaming 'No, please I do not know where I am! I will be lost and it will happen again!'

"There is no need child." He said as he walked round the table placing a soft hand on my head, in a kind manner. "I am more than honoured to have you at my humble abode." I smiled at him again; turning to hug his tall, thin body with my skinny arms.

"The honour is all mine." I replied my voice muffled by his clothing.

That night I sat in my room, letting the sad tears fall down my cheeks and onto the wooden floor. Only a small lamp lighted the room by my bed, the room was beautiful beyond belief, plain but comfortable, one could put anyone in this room and they would find that it was made only for them. The wardrobe was large and could fit hundreds of clothes in, my seven tops and three pairs of trousers looked lost hung up in such a vast place. I walked to the mirror looking at my tired face in the reflection, my light blond hair had dulled down to a dark brown colour, shaping my face, it fell to my hips but its usual happy sway was gone, instead it hung loosely in thick lumps making me look as though I had not Brushed it. My blue eyes had turned from their baby blue colour to a near magenta, which I though humanly impossible. My usual plump lips were dry and ugly looking. My skin, strangely enough was the only thing unaffected, still pale and soft as it had always been, though it had gained a grey colour. As I turned towards my bed I noticed something strange, a creature looming over the shop, its black skin was like thick ink, the only part of it that was not black was its face, which was covered with a dense white mask, with prominent teeth and eyes that seemed to glow yellow. It was then that I felt it, my body stiffened painfully, my legs giving way beneath me forcing me to collapse to the floor, hitting my head with a loud BANG. My body began to shake uncontrollably, unable to breath, unable to shout and unable to move. My heart started beating so fast it felt as though it would break my ribs. My arms numbed and my head span as my eyes began to close painfully. I did not hear my uncle come in, it was more like I felt him, in my minds eye I could see a small blue light, like an orb coming from where he was, stood over me telling me I was ok. Then everything went black. That was the first time I have ever been in an ambulance, and I did not like it one bit.