Here's the third chapter. Hope you like it. Please, let me know what you think.

Chapter Three—Nightmares

He knew he was dreaming...

The house was exactly as he remembered it, from the ochre-colored walls to the photographs that showed the once happy family. Ken walked along the wall, staring at the pictures with a mixture of nostalgia and misery.

This is my house. I lived here.

A loud scream from the backyard drew his attention. He ran as fast as he could down the hallway, through the kitchen, and into the backyard where he saw it. A birthday party—his own, he remembered, from when he turned ten. A crowd of his friends and family gathered around a central point. Lying in the middle of the crowd was, he saw, a younger image of himself.

No. Not now. He opened his mouth to try to insist that everybody around run. That they get away as quickly as they could. But no words came to him and Ken found himself crying, trying to get their attention...

And suddenly, he was in the middle of the crowd, twitching violently on the ground as he felt the horrible heaviness start to weigh down his face. The feeling of something growing there, solid and porcelain-like. He was whimpering. He could hear his mother, trying to calm him down and his father encouraging everybody to give him space to breathe.

Suddenly, everything went dark and Ken found himself floating in the black void. He could hear that horrid voice speaking to him, evil and filled with malice.

"You can't keep me out," the voice said. "I'm moving closer and closer to you."

"No!" he screamed, breathing heavily. "Leave me alone!"

He was upright, panting heavily in his new bedroom in the Seventh's barracks, sweating rolling down his body, plastering his long hair to his face. At first, he was content to believe that he was simply sweating, but he could feel the tears rolling down his cheeks, a physical manifestation of the sadness that plagued him so heavily. He was crying as he remembered—what he could remember. Everything had gone black and then, nothing until he woke up hours—maybe days—later to discover his parents, his brother, Marcus, and his friends dead and his hands covered in blood.

Covered in their blood.

He longed to sob audibly, to allow the painful memories to finally let themselves out through him so that he could be free. Yet, even as the thought came to him, Ken realized that he wasn't alone. His eyes fluttered upward to see Captain Komamura and Lieutenant Iba, standing in the doorway with their zanpakutos, sheathed but ready to be drawn. Judging by their attire, they had both just woken up: Iba was shirtless and Komamura was also shirtless, with white hakama, tied halfheartedly around his waist.

"Go back to sleep, Tetsuzaemon," Komamura ordered.

"Yes, sir," Iba replied, leaving.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Koma," Ken murmured. "I didn't mean to—"

"Who were you talking to?" Komamura demanded.

Ken flinched. Had he been talking louder than he had hoped? "It was just a bad dream. It's fine now. I'm okay." Komamura's face was an emotionless mask and Ken couldn't even hope to penetrate deep enough into Komamura's mind to discern what he was thinking. "Good night, sir."

"I asked you a question that you still have not answered," Komamura stated. "Who were you talking to?"

"You won't believe me."

"I will."

"No, nobody does."

"Nobody else you've told has been a Soul Reaper."

Ken scowled. Apparently, no matter what he said, Komamura was going to have a response. "I was hearing a voice in my head. It was weird and... creepy."

"Distorted?"

Ken's eyebrow raised in interest. "You already knew?"

"I had a suspicion. Captain Hirako could explain it better than I could."

"What's happening to me?"

"Somehow, you've been exposed to a process known as Hollowfication. Once more, Captain Hirako can explain it better than I can."

"So, what'll happen to me?"

"I can't say for sure."

"I'm scared."

Komamura didn't immediately reply. "Everybody faces fear. You'll have to face your fears yourself." Then, Ken did something weird. He chortled. "I missed the joke."

"It's just... what you just said... My father said that when I was afraid of the dark."

Komamura looked noticeably uncomfortable. "Try to get some rest, Ken. I'll check on you in the morning before you begin your learning to become a Soul Reaper."

He turned away and walked out and Ken smiled again. Even in the way he dodged the statement was like his father...

Here's the next chapter. Enjoy. I hope you guys like it and review/PM me about your opinions and suggestions.