I actually cannot believe the extraordinary amount of bad luck I have been having recently. This chapter has been deleted twice so far. Twice.

On a happier note, Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you had a good one!

And Happy New Year! I hope you have a good 2012!

Also, you may find this chapter quite confusing. But do not worry; the mysteries will gradually unravel over time…

(Oh yes bubbleboss1022 & zero09q; I'm so glad you're enjoying this chapter! Both of you motivated me to write this chapter… =] )

A rapid movement made Rukia widen her eyes; her body no longer being influenced by the heavy spiritual pressure.

Hichigo had toppled over to Rukia's side, his eyes bulging and his chest heaving. She could see his eyes regaining their normal colour as he continued writhing on the floor.

"You s-sick pyscho… How dare you." a ragged voice whispered.

A bloodcurdling cackle echoed through the air.

"Yo. King. I see you're back? Quite early aren't you?" a loud voice sniggered. "Oh well. It doesn't matter anymore."

Rukia shivered as a pair of luminous yellow eyes clouded with white turned and stared at her as his thin lips spread into a wide smile.

"I've already punished her, in a… unique way."

Soon after finishing his sentence, the man collapsed to the floor.

Landing on a very shocked and overwhelmed Kuchiki Rukia.

As soon as Ichigo woke up, his hands leapt to his blood stained lips.

Shit.

The second thing he noticed was his Lieutenant.

Shit.

Rukia was sitting a few metres away from him, her arms clasped around her tiny waist. She was rocking back and forth quickly with her face buried within her knees.

It took quite a lot to startle Rukia, and here she was, petrified.

What made the whole situation worse, was that Ichigo was utterly powerless. He could only watch in horror as his inner hollow took over his body. And… did that to her.

Ichigo slowly stood up, clearing his throat loudly to announce his presence. Rukia's face shot up as she leapt off the floor and readied a combat stance.

"Hado no-"

"Woah. Easy there Rukia! It's me. Ichigo! Ichi…"

Flashback

"It's me! Ichigo! Don't be afraid!"

"Liar! You're a monster!" a shrill voice screamed. "You're not Ichigo! You're a demon! Get away from us!"

"Monster… Monster... Monster!"

…

This has happened before…

Hasn't it?

"Woah. Easy there Rukia! It's me. Ichigo! Ichi…"

Rukia relaxed her outstretched arms as she heard Ichigo's voice. Normal. Phew.

Rukia started slowly walking toward her long haired friend, her pink lips slowly spreading into a small smile. Her walk suddenly halted to a standstill as she noticed Ichigo's pale face.

"Ichigo?"

No answer.

Rukia slowly waved a hand past his glazed eyes, frowning as she saw no response.

"Oi! Ichigo!" she shouted in his ear.

Not even a flinch.

Two Minutes Later

Rukia could feel panic welling up inside her chest, and her throat tightening. Her mouth was dry as dry as sandpaper as she roughly shook Ichigo by his shoulders.

"Ichigo! Captain Strawberry! Lanky! You better answer me right now otherwise I'll whoop your ass later!"

Silence.

Crap. Crap. Crap.

What's wrong with him? Why isn't he answering me? Rukia thought to herself. What if… What if… Rukia could feel tears threatening to spill over the rims of her eyes, but she roughly wiped them away with her face lowered to the ground.

This bastard. First he goes mental on me and then he lapses into some sort of self-depression. What the hell? This isn't anything at all like Ichigo.

First of all, Ichigo doesn't like to self-sympathise.

Secondly, he's not the type to mope around.

Then what is it?

She glanced at Ichigo once again, taking in his precarious position.

His hands were placed in front of his face (obviously trying to protect himself from the kido spell she was prepared to release) and his eyes were wide open. His shoulders were slumped forward, and strands of his orange hair were covering his face. Rukia gently moved the strands of hair out of his face and sighed deeply.

I've got myself stuck with a troublesome Captain, she thought to herself whilst scratching her chin. Desperately trying to ignore the worry building up inside her…

(Ichigo's Inner World)

"Monster."

"Monster."

"Monster."

Stop it!

I don't want to hear it.

I'm not a monster. I didn't mean to do that. I honestly didn't. Believe m-

"I'm not a monster. Believe me. Trust me!"

Ichigo felt his blood run cold when he saw a familiar figure step out of the darkness.

"Oh help me." The mocking voice continued his face now clearly visible.

Hichigo.

"Yo-!"

"Don't even start it pretty boy. I didn't drag you here. You came here out of your own bloomin' free will. Anyway; trying to escape are you?"

Ichigo scowled at the rude interruption, before his eyebrows rose in annoyance. "Escape? From what?" Ichigo asked his inner hollow, baffled at the strange question.

Ichigo stared at Hichigo as he brought up a white hand and tapped at his temples with a pale finger

"Your past."

Ichigo's face immediately turned hard, the colour draining out of his skin. His lips pursed and his fists clenched beside him.

"Shut up."

Hichigo felt the pace of his heartbeat increase as he sensed a deadly aura emanating out of Ichigo's body. Finally. A good fight.

"Aaaaw. Did I prod at a nerve? I'm only telling the truth though. And you know it."

"I said shut up!" Ichigo snarled.

"Good, good. Get more agitated. Get more frustrated. Give me a good fight Ichigo. Otherwise, our roles may be changed. Who knows, I may become King…."

Hichigo grabbed the sword strapped across his back and swung it forward. Ichigo quickly followed.

"Bankai."

"Bankai."

Two soft growls echoed in unison across the dark surroundings.

"Tensa Zangetsu..."

Well that's it for now. I'm running short of inspiration, so if you have any ideas that you think would be good for this fanfic please feel free to tell me. =)