A/N: Well, I'm sorry this took so long. I've had a very bad case of writer's block, and I've been dealing with a bunch of personal issues. (I know, excuses, excuses). I thought I'd write this chapter while I had nothing to do, and I feel in the mood for writing.

I had already started this chapter, but what I wrote was so crappy that I'm not even gonna go there. . Anyways, let's get this started.

Chapter Three: Sleepless Nights

(Rangiku)

It was five in the morning, and she had been like that for a few hours now; eyes drawn together, curled up on her side. She was whimpering, just a little bit, and Rangiku stared at the younger girl with a frown on her face. What had happened to her?

Karin had started to shake; a little at first, but in the passing minutes, it became more and more profound. Rangiku wasn't sure what the girl needed, and before she could act, the girl started to speak.

It was quiet; barely a whisper, but she could hear it. "I-Ichigo…"

Ichigo? As in-

"N-no," Karin stuttered, turning on her side. "Don't go…" Her eyes squeezed tight, her hands balled into fists, she rolled onto her back. Rangiku could see the girl clearly now, so small compared to the bed. It looked like she hadn't eaten in forever, and she'd been haunted by something that no one her age should have been.

Rangiku didn't know whether or not she should wake the girl, who seemed so helpless, drowning in her nightmare. Before she could do anything, her door opened, and she felt herself gasp quietly.

"It's okay," the intruder said.

She sighed. "What the hell are you doing, Shuuhei?"

Said boy came to sit next to her. He looked down at Karin, who seemed to have relaxed a tiny bit. "I just wanted to make sure that you two were alright."

Rangiku looked at him. "Do you know who she is?"

He averted his eyes, and Rangiku took that as a yes. "Tell me, Shuuhei."

He looked at Rangiku, and she could see worry in his eyes. For who? "Look after her carefully, Ran-chan," he said, using his nickname for her. "She's going to need it." With that, he slipped out of the room, disappearing as suddenly as he had came.

Toushirou woke up to a soft knock at his door. In truth, he hadn't really been sleeping-he was an insomniac- but lying on his bed, feigning the motions of slumber. The blinds were pulled on his window, so he couldn't judge how early it was, but he could see a thin sliver of sunlight dancing to the ground, throwing lines onto his floor. He swung his legs over his bed, running a hand through his hair, still unable to get it to cooperate. He sighed, opening the door.

"What do you want?" Toushirou said irritably once he saw who it was.

Ukitake looked at the boy and sighed. "Still mad, I see," he observed.

"I'm not mad," he said, though that wasn't a total lie. He wasn't mad: he was pissed. Pissed that he was sent here, of all places, to someone who hadn't given a damn about him any earlier in his life.

Ukitake sighed, leaving that subject to rest for now. "Can I come in?"

Toushirou stepped back silently, letting the older man enter his room. He took that moment to look at the clock in the hall: 7:52 am.

The door closed, and Toushirou found himself standing at the edge of his bed, Ukitake sitting in the chair across the room. He sighed, crossing his arms. "What do you want?" he repeated to the man.

"I want to ask you a favor Toushirou."

The boy tilted his head and waited for Ukitake to continue.

"I want you to get to know Karin."

"Who the hell is Karin?"

"The girl that I found yesterday." Ukitake's eyes drew together, a frown appearing on his slightly aged face. "I feel that she'll need," he paused, searching for the right word, "friends."

"What if I don't want to be her friend?" Toushirou replied stubbornly. "I don't even want to be here."

"Toushirou," Ukitake said, coming to stand in front of the teen. "You need to get better."

Toushirou looked away, unable to bear his gaze. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Roll up your sleeves, Toushirou."

"What?" The boy was shocked. "No. I won't."

"Why not?"

"Why? Do you not trust me? What happened to being family?" Toushirou started to yell.

Ukitake's look was one of regret and…pity. "Honestly, Toushirou," he said, starting to the door. "You've given me no reason to."

A/N: I know. Crap. Psh, I suck. XD Sooooooo, *wink wink* what is it that Shuuhei knows?

Heh, there were fossilized skittles in my bedroom…strange. Pete found them.

Review please! The more reviews I get, the quicker I will be to write, and the more torture I shall put the characters through. :D I swear I'll be better at updating, though!