SULLIED FEELINGS

whew. A little work with the title...but anyway. Please enjoy!

He decided to ask Owner about the ghost that had saved him. Not many creatures of the night world bothered to associate themselves with humans, especially when they were in trouble. He was too curious.

Sometimes he felt it was going to be his downfall.

"Sir..." he said slowly, approaching the front counter, behind which his boss stood, busily scanning books. The old man turned a sharp eye on him, sometimes he felt like it could pierce through his soul. "Is there a spirit here, that dresses like a prince?"

"A prince?" the old man asked, eyes raising to the ceiling in thought. "A prince...I have never seen a spirit like that, no."

He nodded slowly and directed the old man to the shelf where 'Ghost of Prince' was kept. He knelt down and nearly swore in shock when the original pencil thick novel was nearly three times it's size. He could feel the owner watching him, so he merely picked up the book.

"I think he's from here." Owner took the book from him, reading and investigating it.

"Have you read it already, boy?" he nodded grimly. "Never pick it up again." Owner said the words so strongly, that he half wanted to ask why, but knew he wouldn't get an answer.

He'd just have to wait until later to get them himself.

He picked up the book again, when owner had gone home and all the candles were lighted. He pulled it open, to the last page he'd read. He'd seen many weird things in this shop. He'd read some scary books too. But never had he seen a book that could write it self.

"What cha readin'?" he jumped, turning quickly to see Grimmjow.

"Nothing..." he answered. It scared him how the vampire could simply appear. He read quickly and got to the last page. Right before his very eyes, blotches of ink dropped on the page from no where, slowly turning to words.

"I've missed you. I'm lonely. I'm trapped here. Come save me?"

Grimmjow growled a little, watching over his shoulder. He grabbed the book from him, looking at the title. "Don't touch this book." he warned him. "Never read it. Trust me, you won't like the outcome."

"What outcome? Why do people keep trying to hide these things from me? What's with the rules? What am I missing?" he asked eagerly. From the day he'd stepped in the place, all he'd ever seen and heard were rules and warnings. "What's going on here?"

"You're human." Grimmjow told him. "Everything that's in this place is not human. Every customer that walks through those doors is not human. There are lots of things here that simply want to steal and eat your soul. The rules are for your safety. And this..." Grimmjow gave a disgusted look to the book in his hands. "This...thing in here, only wants the same thing. Don't read it any more."

"There's something in the book?" Grimmjow nodded. "Ok. I won't read it. Now put it back." he held out his hand for the book, giving Grimmjow an expectant look. The vampire shook his head.

"You're not getting this back." he stood up, book still in his hands. "I'm taking it with me. I owe that stupid old man. If something happens to you, I'm in shit." he leaned forward and nicked him on the ear, making him squeak. "Don't get yourself in trouble, I'll be gone for only five minutes. This thing has a dirty mind.. You'll be better off without it."

He nodded slightly, watching as Grimmjow left the shop. What could he possibly mean? He was so curious.

Neither he nor Grimmjow saw the new ink smear across the page.

"You can't get away from me."

OWARI

woo. For some strange reason, I don't like saying 'ichigo' I think that's my style for this story. I gots lots to do, and Damon is bugging me about my homework. Geh! Gotta do eet!