Disclaimer: Bleach will never be mine.

A/N: This is an extra chapter of Almarhum, about what happens before Ichigo starts going to school.

June 29, 1998

7:31 A.M.

They were supposed to know about it long before, but they only received word of it now. So they all gathered around, and talked about the topic that quickly instilled fear in their souls. The happiness that they once had immediately died, rotting to nothing.

"So, there's supposed to be thirty one of us and not thirty?" Yukio asked Ishida, who nodded with a grim look. "That's right. But right now he has a condition of both bad legs and another that has something to do with his breathing, or so I heard from Aizen."

"Now we have one extra seat. What should we do? There's a high chance that the calamity will happen this year." questioned Riruka with her voice cracking but her fellow classmates understood why.

The others muttered to each other their worries about them dying, which they fear so much.

But the noise full of nothing but wishes of not dying was stopped by one of the students.

"That's enough. I can't stand it that we're just standing here in a circle, doing nothing but worry and worry. If it will help you all, I'll take charge in the countermeasures." Hitsugaya said, which shocked a few.

"You don't have to do that..." Hinamori whispered to him.

"That's right. I know you're always the responsible one here but this will take a huge toll on you. I hear that some of those who take charge in the countermeasures in the previous years lose their minds." Renji added, feeling concerned for his friend.

He shoot a hard look at them, to know that he really made up his mind.

"Even before school started, I always thought about it should this ever happen. Now I'll take responsibility to make sure that none of us will die from this curse."

They're like in a drama movie, but the matter is too serious to think about that. Nobody made a sound for a few minutes.

"All that's left is to choose who will be treated as the nonexistent one." Tatsuki stated, which caught their attention. "We're not going to act like that person is a ghost right now, right?" asked Yachiru, her voice still sounding bubbly but she also felt tense.

"Not yet. Not until the thirty-first student is here. For now, we're just going to have to decide." the silverette answered.

"But who?" the spikehead asked, knowing that it won't be easy. It would have to be throughout the whole year and it might emotionally scar whoever they choose.

Just then, another student entered.

"Sorry. Something happened at home." he apologized quietly, and all their eyes are glued at him. "What's going on? What did I miss?" he asked, the monotone of his voice never changing.

"Ulquiorra, you should know something." a boy who has long ebony hair and moonlit eyes (Byakuya) told him, while patting a nervous Rukia on the shoulder for his younger brother was literally shaking.

"There... is a chance that the calamity might happen this year." Byakuya said quietly, approaching the unfazed albino. Ulquiorra did not gasp or make a reaction of surprise, but he was also surprised.

He quickly let one question slip from his mouth. "Who will be the nonexistent student?"

"We're not yet decided on it. But we don't know how to select that person."

Without any more replies, the emerald-eyed student took out an empty page from his sketchpad and tore it until there are thirty pieces. He quickly wrote his name, and handed the remaining twenty-nine to them.

"It's best if we decide by this. Write your names on each." suggested Ulquiorra, and the others said no answer but the fact that they took one piece and wrote their names with their pens meant that they agreed with him. In a minute, all their papers aer folded into two and placed on the table.

Creatively enough, Riruka took out an empty bowl that she was going to use for her cooking lessons, and the others watched as she placed all the papers inside, and shook it several times before setting it on the table.

They were acting like they're in a cult, but no matter. Class 3: Section 2 always becomes a dark class when there is excess seats.

"So, who is going to pick?" Renji asked, his arms crossing while his eyes remained glued on the bowl. Hitsugaya didn't volunteer to pick. Neither Hinamori or Ishida, or the others. It became so silent again, that they could hear the chatting of the students from the other sections outside.

A pale hand rose into the air, and steady footsteps headed for the bowl. His fingers hovered over the papers, that would also be trembling from fear if they are ever living things.

Some swallowed silently, hoping that it won't be them but at the same time they're worried for whoever will be picked.

Ulquiorra's hand quickly dug down in the stack and picked a folded piece, and he slipped it open to see who. Again, he makes no reaction as he calmly states...

"It's me. So, there you have it."

Others gasped. Hinamori and Riruka looked at him with slight grief. Though he was always the weird one, nobody had any ill will against him. No one held a grudge or any hard feelings. Byakuya closed his eyes, feeling bitter. Rukia chewed on his thumb. Renji looked away, feeling a little shame. Hitsugaya made no expression outside by inside he felt a little sorry.

"The good part is there is still a week before you start ignoring me." Ulquiorra said, after seeing their solemn expressions. But that was just cold comfort.

But it's almost July now, so they skipped a month without any deaths. There could be a good chance that it won't happen.

Unfortunately...

A day ago...

"Amaya..." a silent whisper flew out his lips when he saw a lifeless hand. A hand patted him on the head, coming from another person who is just as solemn as him.

"I know, Ulquiorra, I know."

To be continued...

A/N: I guess it won't hurt if I add a few twists myself, right?