I've Dangled My Feet Over The Precipice

It was just a normal day, nothing more. I was working in the bake shop, serving up customers, just like usual. They all were hungry and had huge smiles on their faces when I gave them their pastries. I loved it there, it was like a heaven on earth.

I did a tiny spin as I turned to grab a cupcake from the case. I ended up bumping into Alex, and in the process, getting cake all over myself.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" the girl apologized to me. She was newer here than me and still nervous about everything.

"Don't worry about it, accidents happen" I said, waving off the apologizes. She kept going on about how she was so clumsy and sorry about ruining my clothes. Her voice was getting louder and more hysterical with every word and her black hair was falling over her face. "Alex, calm down."

I stood up and looked over the counter at the customer who was waiting and let out a nervous laugh. "Just give us a sec!" He nodded indifferently. I would have changed aprons, if it was only on the apron. But no, it was all over me. Literally; it was in my hair, on my face, clothes, even my shoes.

"What's going on out here?" my boss asked. Alex whimpered just a bit.

"Mr. Garasu, don't worry. I ran into Alex and got cake on myself. I can still-" I tried to explain to Garasu.

"No, go home Inoue. We can handle the rest for today, besides, you only have another hour. You're off the hook." He returned to the waiting customer and Alex went to fetch to mop.

"Oh, okay" I sighed. I went to the back of the shop to get my bag and umbrella. I ran a brush through my hair, hoping it may help get some of the icing out. It did a little bit.

Once I walked out of the back door, I opened the umbrella to prevent myself from getting wet. I was shielded from the rain as I walked down the street, singing a sing I didn't know the name of. Alex waved from the window of the shop and I waved back with a smile.

Things had changed since almost two years ago. Rukia wasn't around and Ichigo had lost his powers. I didn't do much fighting anymore, in fact, I didn't wear my hair pins on most days. Uryū does most of the fighting, so there wasn't much left to do besides work at the cute new bake shop down the street. Tatsuki and I are still close, and Sado…was still Sado.

I had changed, too. Since I was kidnapped, I had grown more mature, more… adult-like. I didn't rely on Ichigo anymore, I could defend myself. I had learned how to endure. In reality, that whole experience may have helped me.

I crossed the street, still singing to myself. It was pouring buckets now, and it was slippery. So slippery that I nearly fell in the middle of the street twice. It was also hard for the cars because they were sliding when they hit the brakes. But I didn't care, I just kept walking. And I slipped again.

But the time it was different. Pain shot up my leg and I couldn't get to my feet. My umbrella and bag were sprawled on the street and I was wet and cold. But those were the least of my problems. A red mini-van was barreling down the street and about to cross the intersection. The horn blared at me to get out of the way.

I couldn't. I couldn't move fast enough to escape the approaching headlights. I threw my hands over my face and tensed up. The horn grew louder and louder until I realized it was right in front of me. But before it could hit, I felt a pressure on my arm tugging me to the left of the street.

I felt the sidewalk bite into my arm and tear at my skin as the horn blew past. I sat upright and looked around and I saw it. Even though it was dark, I still the little bit of green before it disappeared. Every hair on my neck seemed to stand straight and I felt cold. My heart jumped and began to beat faster than it ever had before.

The driver stepped out of the car to ask if I was okay, but I couldn't hear him. All I could focus on was that little spot of darkness when the green had been. And I found myself running home without my umbrella or bag, totally soaked. My apartment was in view and I silently thanked myself for putting the key in my coat pocket. I kept running, faster now, towards it. I was out of breath, but I forced my lungs to take in oxygen and move my legs.

I ran up the outside stairs and grabbed the key out of its pocket when I reached the door. I stumbled in, wet, cold, and exhausted. But the image of that green kept flashing through my mind every time I blinked. I curled up against the door and began to sob. My chest heaven as the halls echoed with my cries. It couldn't be, it wasn't possible.

So how was I alive? I knew the answer: It was starting again.

So, me has a new story! I have really nothing to say, but I felt the need for an A/N.