The first two chapters of this story were obviously in first person points of view. Because I couldn't make up my mind, and I thought it was easier, I wrote this chapter in third person omniscient. I hope it doesn't confuse anyone. And it does have something to do with the story line, trust me.

Same Disclaimer: Beautiful Rukia and all other characters are not mine!


Hollows Haunt Us

Chapter 3

Ichigo rapped hard on the closet door which housed the small ex-shingami inside. It was already 30 minutes past the time she usually woke up.

Could she be sick? Ichigo pondered a moment. If she was sick, he probably shouldn't try to wake her up. Shrugging his shoulders, he slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped towards his door.

Before he took even two steps, the closet door was slowly pushed open. A tiny weary leg stuck out into Ichigo's view, followed by a tired body.

Ichigo stared at Rukia for a moment. He had never seen her look so…tired before. Her face was pale and her eyes blank. Small beads of sweat were forming on her forehead. Standing up, she wobbled a bit.

Just before she could fall face flat on the floor, Ichigo caught her around the waist. Setting her back up straight she looked up at him.

"Sorry…I'm not feeling too hot today." Rukia said, obviously trying to maintain her usual façade. "I had a bad night…"

He interrupted her quickly. "Stay home."

"But I…"

"Stay."

"I'm not your damned dog." Rukia sighed as she sat down on his bed.

"Then explain to me why you're being a bitch." Ichigo retorted, expecting a smack on the head. Rukia only glared at him then lay down. Yeah, she's definitely sick.

Rukia pulled something red out of her pocket then threw it at Ichigo's face.

"Here's the glove. If there's a hollow, find someone to smack you with it." She paused a moment before continuing. "Finding someone who wants to smack you should be the easy part."

Crawling under the blankets, she wrapped them over her head, until she became just a small mound underneath. Ichigo put the glove in his pocket and shook his head.

He started walking towards the door until finally he stopped and turned around. Almost reluctantly he asked, "Do you need anything? Medicine, drink, food…anything?"

Rukia was too tired to ponder over his sudden lapse of kindness. Falling into the edges of sleep she grumbled, "I'd like to eat some water with a bottle of food and a plate of medicine, please…"

Ichigo shook his head as he headed out of the room to get some supplies.

In her sleep, a small figure appeared in the dark expanses of Rukia's mind.

I think you need me.

"I do not." Rukia replied, finding herself standing before the figure.

Oh but you do… You'll never get your man if you keep treating him like that…

"'My man'?" Rukia found herself asking. A sound outside her world started taking her from the dark. Something cool found it's way on her forehead, bringing her back into her actual body. Her eyes fluttered open weakly. A bright orange blob in front of her face slowly focused.

"Hey, I'm home." Ichigo said as he wiped off some of the sweat from her forehead. His face betrayed a little worry. "You haven't touched anything I brought up for you."

Rukia licked her lips, suddenly remembering how she hadn't drunk anything in a while. It felt like she had been asleep only a few minutes, but her dry mouth told her otherwise. "Could I have some water…?"

Slowly propping herself up, he brought a glass to her hands. As he watched her drink he asked, "What happened? You were just fine yesterday…"

"I couldn't sleep at all." She replied, leaving out the big chunk about the voice she had been hearing ever since the diesel accident. Something felt like it was eating her from the inside out, craving to take over her mind. She shook off the cold feeling that was becoming constant.

I can clear all this up for you. Just let me have a little fun…


I think this was a really successful chapter for me...please review if you like it! It would mean the world to me!