I'm hard.

Hard as stone.

Untouchable.

Unreachable.

Stop trying.

It hurts.

--

Ichigo frowned, fingers touching his head lightly, tentatively and he tried to stand up.

He stumbled, and pitched forward, quickly grasping onto his bedrest for support.

He groaned as he straightened.

His head throbbed, but it was bearable now.

His hand left his forehead, and his eyes narrowed to slits as the drumming increased in tempo.

Hopefully, his father wouldn't choose now as a perfect time to tackle him to the floor.

He wasn't sure he could stop himself from killing the old man in this state.

--

Mayuri's hand trailed around the girl's forehead, halted, then his black fingernails stood poised, ready to pierce her skin at any given time.

"As you can see." Mayuri's well rounded teeth glistened in the luminescent lighting. "She appears to be in a trance of some sort." His head moved forward as he closed his eyes, listening.

"She appears to be in a trance of some sort..." He repeated, "...Although her breathing - or lack thereof - is rather... abnormal."

He poked at her closed eyelids, then pinched her nose, frowning at the lack of response.

"Hm." He glanced up at Byakuya's still form, expression ponderous. "Why did you bring her here instead of to Unohana? It seems to be more of a medical condition than anything else."

Byakuya's expression retained its stoic frown. "It seemed more your forte. Unohana-taichou is a healer of wounds, not used to such... surprises. You're a scientist, and though I disapprove of your... methods... I feel that I have no choice in the matter. Now. Continue on with your explanation."

Mayuri sneered at his peer's evaluation, then turned back to the unconscious girl. "Huh. Well, trance is all I got. Unless, of course, she is on some kind of... unperscribed medicine." The man's fingerss twirled as he glanced at Byakuya's face.

"Of course not!" He replied, indignant.

"Mmmmyes, yes." Mayuri examined his painted nails pointedly. His eyes snapped back to Rukia's fallen form, pondoring, expressive. Eyes with unsatiable curiousity. Dangerous eyes.

Byakuya stared at his shoes as Mayuri began poking at the girl's pale neck, prodding with expert fingers, opening her mouth, feeling up her nostrils, even cleaning out her ears.

"Strange." He murmered. "There seems to be a lack of feeling of touch. It isn't a coma, but something more.. pronounced. Effective... Powerful."

Byakuya's eyes grew wide as he heard the evaluation. "What?! What is that supposed to mean!?"

Mayuri looked at him from the corner of his eye as he spoke. "Her condition is similar of that of an earthly body when its soul has left it, similar to Kurosaki Ichigo's own condition when given the power of a soul reaper." Mayuri's hands shook. Not with fear, but with excitement. Excitement at this sudden new, curious discovery. He turned to Byakuya's still form, face wild and grinning freely as he cackled out his evaluation. "It appears... That this young soul reaper has entered a third world."

A/N: OHMIGOSHOES!! CLIFFHANGER!!

(sorry there was no holoichi in this... stupid winner wouldn't come up with an idea fast enuff, so i just decided i mite as well just write a chapter like this.)

SO!

I guess, if the winner dont respond in a week after they've been declared winner, then I'll just make it up myself.

THE WINNER, ITCHYCOOKIE, HAS ONE WEEK TO RESPOND. sorry, but i need something to do wiht my spare time, and fanfic writing just happens to be it!