Disclaimer: I own no titles or rights to "Bleach". All rights go to respective owners. I do, however, own this fan fic.

~ Anelie POV~

I watched, in silence, as the simple human days went on. At times I envied them, and can't help but remember my time as a human…though, now, it's hard to even imagine such a thing was real. "Do you think it is time?" I asked, the wind carrying my silent breath towards Karakura. "Yes. There is one who should not be here…one that escaped from the depths." I nodded down sadly. I felt pain. Every time I had to bring my lost souls back. For the more that I had to, the deeper they descended into the abyss. "Porta Inferni…" I was unsure if I should continue, knowing that it was my duty to fulfil that of which I was needed. "Forgive me, young one, but if I am to claim them, well, I don't think it would be as simple." I cringed slightly, remember my earlier days when He claimed a sinner. "Yes..."

I looked down at my blade. "I want to give this man another chance…" "You are too kind…this sinner has no more chances…he will never change…" "That's not true…" "What?" "Can't you see it? The suffering he is enduring? He has something…something that he truly regrets…He does not wish to change. He feels that if he does now, then there will forever be a curse following him. He wants to apologize…even if just once more…to his truly beloved…he wants to…" A loud crash resonated around us, an evil pressure threatening to invade. "It seems it is too late for him…he was claimed by the Hollows." A cold numbness erupted through my body, obliterating any conscious thought. "…..No…they will not claim another one…..I won't let them!" I placed my palm on the hilt of my sword, and with one final glance at Porta Inferni, I jumped down into the awaiting danger.

"Oh~ Another Soul Reaper huh?" I cringed at the sadistic, lifeless voice. "Forgive me, but I am no Reaper…" The being chuckled darkly. "Then are you my next meal?" I sighed, crouching down. "No…" I drew my blade. "*Kyūseishu…" I felt the hurt, the pain, from the Hollow before me. However, the stronger emotions were hatred. 'To harbor such a deep hatred…what could have happened?' I suppose it didn't matter now. "I will ask you when we go home….." "What?" I didn't give the Hollow time to react. I leapt up, aiming for the Hollow's chest.

He dodged at the last moment, but, in doing so, sustained a large injury. "You bastard!" The bloody wound spread cross the Hollow's body. "Please do not fight me…I do not wish to harm you." Something that sounded like a scoff left the being's throat. "I'll kill you!" I sighed again. "If that is how you want things to be….." I could see now that there was no more need to try and persuade him. I raised my sword, tip pointing directly at the Hollow's hole, and spoke. "…..Heavenly Cross Seal….." A ray of light erupted from my blade, hitting the unsuspecting Hollow. "Gah! Y-You B-" The outer part of the Hollow disintegrated, leaving the soul residing in him unprotected; un-shielded.

A soft, melodic voice rang from the, seemingly lifeless, body. "I-I just…..wanted to make her happy…." I bent down, causing the soul to gaze up at me, and smiled sweetly. "Why don't we go see her then? This time, I'll make sure no Hollows try to claim your soul." The man seemed surprised at first, before a large smile replaced his features. "Thank you…" Silent tears fell from the man, and I patted his head. "It's no problem!"

I walked the soul to his destination, listening to him idling talking about what he remembers of his human life. "Is this it?" The man smiled up at the small, quaint, house nodding. "Yes. My wife and three kids are here…but without me I….." I shook my head, pointing at one of the top windows. "No. If you regret then the only path awaiting you is that of Hollow-fication. Besides, look at them now." I pointed at the family. "They go on smiling. They feel grief and anger at your untimely death, yet they know that staying in the past will never allow them to move forward. They smile, because they know that they will see you again." The man's eyes were overflowing. Tears. Tears stained his face, yet he smiled. "Thank you. I'm so glad."

I smiled, reaching my palm towards the man's forehead. "Are you ready now?" He nodded. "Yes. I was afraid that without me my family would fall apart…" He glanced up one last time at his wife's profile in the window. "…now I can see that they are much stronger than I had thought. I can leave them knowing that they are safe and that we will see each other again, right?" I nodded, smiling sadly. "I don't know how long it will be but…" "I will wait until it is their times. But I do anxiously await them…so that we can be together again…." "Do not forget…" I caught the soul off guard when my other hand poked his chest just above his heart. "…they will always be with you…" "….yes…." "Now leave in peace. Go to the Soul Society…" The man's spirit began to dissipate, but I could hold of his final smile as he went on.

"That was interesting…to think that a Hollow could be so sentimental…" I smiled up. "Speak for yourself…." I looked down a moment, continuing. "…I'm glad though. He didn't deserve to be a Hollow, nor did he warrant becoming a sinner…" "Yes. That is because you helped him." I nodded. "Yeah…but aren't you hungry?" A small chuckle left the Gate's thoughts. "Yes. I am quite sad that I wasn't able to eat a new soul. However, I do not think the souls that are not tainted in the blood of many are worth eating…they are too pure." I sighed. "Yes. I forget at times what you are…" "Meaning?" "Nothing…just that I get so use to speaking with you normally, that when I hear you speak of such horrid things…it brings me back to reality…" "Ha. Despite that you still continue to stay." "Yes. That is because I pity you as well…" "What a daring thing to say to the person who gives you your life." I chuckled slightly at his response. "I suppose. However, I don't fear you, for we coexist. Without you, I am nothing, and vice versa." "Haha. How true."

A.N: I'm sorry if it seems like the story is going too slowly….I just like detail…..and background…..hope that doesn't turn some of you readers away! Please review and let me know what you readers think! Anyways, I was asked what "Porta Inferni" is, and the answer is simple. Porta Inferni is Hell's Gate in Latin.

*Means Savior