Yay! I was soooo happy I was able to put it up the same day! I really didn't want to put it off until later, because it would be hard for the readers to get a good jist of the story witout it. So with out further adu enjoy Chapter 2!

- Zerolr -

Chapter 2 – Creepy Staff, Creepy Patients

Walking along the parking lot towards the hospital, Rukia remembered the many times she turned down Renji's advancements; letting him pass many an embarrassing moment because she never really wasn't the person to tell straight up how she felt—until she was pushed to the edge. He tried and tried until one day he just stopped trying. She'd figure that he just gave up—but it never occurred to her that it was someone else.

Oh well, she thought with an agonizing sigh, I'm an easy person to replace. She pushed away the excruciating thought of Ichigo choosing a D cup wearing, booty-filling Orihime over herself who was flatter or maybe even thinner than an ironing board.

It was no regular hospital that Rukia worked in, no, it was a mental hospital. Yes, a place borderline asylum. Because the people there are more cracked up than they should be. But you know what? The patients here are much more better to deal with than everyone else in the outside world.

In here resides all of society's rejected—the ones that couldn't—or just didn't want to—fit in. She was one of the secretaries, receptionist what have you, that served to keep track of medical records, contact information, make phone calls, etc, etc.

Dr Urahara was casually converstating with Dr Kurotsuchi about the differences in mental stability when, Rukia, still puffy-eyed walked in.

"You're late!" snapped Kurotsuchi, "I had Nemu make five phone calls," Rukia ignoring him completely walked around him towards her desk.

"Thank you Nemu," she told the kind silent woman who was the mad doctor's only daughter.

Urahara placed a hand on his colleague, "Let me take care of this."

"Humph!" Mayuri scoffed, shaking off violently the foreign hand that rested on his shoulder and paced out. He was quickly followed by Nemu.

"Rukia, what's going on?"

"It's alright Kisuke," Rukia replied with a sigh, "I'll just go back to work."

The laid-back doctor straightened himself up and turned a little.

"Are you sure?"

"A person shouldn't bring their problems to work."

At this the blonde just smiled, "True, very true, but seeing you like this worries me," he walked off towards the door. Rukia sunk her head into her work quickly accessing the database and checking her planner for the list of what-to-do. Kisuke Urahara stopped at the doorway resting his palm on the frame looking back. His eyes softened a bit and he turned back walking towards her.

Rukia absent-mindedly typed away shutting off all distractions not hearing him approach. He surprised her when placed his large hand over her head. He rubbed it playfully and Rukia looked up.

"Eh? You surprised me!"

"Don't kill yourself, kay?"

She smiled. Does it show that much? She thought. No, I can't get my negativity get to those around me. It's none of their concern and I wouldn't want to burden them with that.

"Don't worry—I can take it!" she chirped raising an arm energetically.

Urahara laughed, he lifted his hand from where it rested, "I don't mean paperwork, I mean with you…" He leaned towards her ear, "If you know what I mean…" and with that he went off to treat his patients.

She sat boggle-eyed staring at the monitor. "What the hell did he mean with that?!" she rasped under her breath. He's so weird, sometimes even downright creepy….

The clock hit noon and Rukia was off to hit the sweltering sun walking down to find some place to eat. As she was exiting out the glass double doors she saw what looked like a man hidden within the trees and bushes that decorated the front of the building.

Obviously the guy wasn't doing a good job hiding because she immediately spotted him and the white restraining suit he wore (which made him stand out even more)

She walked up to the bushes and looked down on him who was crouched down and seemed to be mumbling to himself.

"There's no point in running—staying at this hospital is your best bet," she told the man in a dry almost sarcastic tone.

The man slowly lifted his head at the sound of her voice. His hair shimmered a platinum sliver, eyes thin squinted nearly shut, curved much like the eyes of a playful demon fox. His lips were curved up, far up in a mischievous unreadable grin.

"I know—this whole world is crazy," he replied casually, "I'm wonderin' why only a coupla people is getting treated."

She backed off. His face, those eyes, the way they stared at her creeped her out.

"Can you take this off—pretty please?" he asked in a tease, "I'm kinda stuck."

"N-no. I can't," she stammered, "I'm going to get—,"

"Don do that…" he began sadly, "I'll go back I promise, I jus need these things untied."

Rukia stepped back to head towards the hospital.

"I coulda been left to the city, Rukia-chan."

"How do you know my name?" she cried, stopping suddenly.

"I've been watching you for a long time, Rukia-chan."

Her eyes shook, her hands and feet froze. It was the way that he spoke that confirmed all of the uncomfortable sensations she had for all those months that she worked here. The sensation—the feeling of being watched.

"Untie me…Ru…ki…a…chan."

"Why? Why should I?" she cried once more, "And why am I talking to a patient?! It's pointless—so why am I having this conversation?"

"Because I can help you,"

She choked out a miserable laugh, "You can't help me. You have no idea what I'm—,"

"I can help you, if you help me..."

She stopped and stared at him, feeling lost for a moment.

He tilted his head to the side, "Did I confuse ya?"

I don't get it, she thought. Why am I considering this?

Just then, some nurses followed by Dr Kurotsuchi rushed out and Nemu grabbed the fox-like man from one side and Akon grabbed on the other.

"We got him sir," replied Akon to an infuriated doctor.

"I can see that you dolt!" he shot back harshly. He then directed his gaze that runaway patient, "Ichimaru Gin," he rasped with a passion, "You are the world's biggest pain in the ass." The kooky doctor stuck his face right into Ichimaru's. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you, right here, right now?"

"Sorry, don have one—you really don't need a reason to kill anybody anyways."

"Lock him up before I REALLY lose whatever patience is still left within me!"

The nurses rushed and carried them away, little Rin being the last one racing to catch up with everybody else.

Jeeze the medical staff here is just as creepy as the patients, pondered Rukia seeing how far each of them resembled from a human being.

"What are you doing here!" Mayuri roared, "Get back to work!"

"Yes!" she piped.

Wait... did he forget that I was on break?!

End Chapter

Notes: For those who are confused with the nurses, they are the members of the 12 squad--remember those creepy looking people that work for Mayuri? I personally like Rin, he's so cute like Hanataro... Okay enough of my babble, I hope you all like it so far, there's more to come.

Preview

He reached out a sleeved hand and petted her head lovingly, "You're a good girl, Rukia-chan," he sang, "A very beautiful girl," he added as that sleeved hand cupped her face before slipping away.