I have a bleached exterior

But my teeth are black

But my heart is black

But my mind is black

But my soul is black

I grin.

--

My eyes opened, my body tense.

A large body engulfed me, covered me, smothered me.

I struggled for a moment, my hands clasping a zanpakuto's handle. My eyes traveled up it, and I felt them widen as I took in the sharp blade portruding from the body's back.

Wait. No, this was...

Suddenly it was red. There was red all around me. All over me.

It was blood. There was blood on my hands.

THERE WAS BLOOD ON MY HANDS.

--

"KAIEN-DONO!!"

Horse-kun withdrew his pasty hand from Rukia's forehead as though she was made of fluffy nice objects.

His black eyes narrowed into slits, wondering if she was awake or not; her face was rather expressive for an unconscious woman.

Che... Shinigami... I'll never get their freaky-freakness...

"Heyyyy, Rukia-chan! Horse-kun is here to wakey-wakey you up!" He cooed, pasty hand slapping her lightly. "Ruuuuukia-chaaaaan!"

She stirred.

Always a good sign. I guess...

"Come on, girl! You can do it!" He cheered, in a crouching position nearby her silent form.

She let out a low grown, and her eyelids slowly gave way to blurry amethyst eyes. "I-Ichi...?" She trailed off, rubbing her eyes and squinting.

A pasty face, sickeningly yellow eyes, pale hair.

"OMIGOSHOES!!" She screamed, kicking at the figure, who retaliated by screaming out in pain.

"RUKIA-CHAN!!" The hollow roared, twisting as it grabbed its... area. "WHAT THE F&#) WAS THA... Oh."

She was unconscious again.

--

Ichigo groaned as he grabbed his toast, permafrown in place, drums still beating behind his ears.

Darn stubborn stupid headache. Go die and leave me in peace.

Yuzu stared up at him.

"Ichi-nii?" He glared at her from across the table. "D-daddy's free today. If you're sick, you should go see him..."

"I don't think so." He growled.

Yuzu whimpered and sunk down low in her seat.

That should shut her up.

"I'm going now." Ichigo announced, unable to keep satisfaction out of his voice as he stood. "Ja ne."

He staggered for a moment, glaring when Yuzu stared at him, concerned, then stomped out the front door, towards Karakura High.

Ichigo muttered something about how much he wished the school could be eaten by a giant hollow. But he was just joking. Sort of.

--

My life came in flashes after that.

Sometimes I could see Ichigo, who wasn't really Ichigo.

Then he would disappear, and I would be with Kaien-dono, drenched in his blood and the pouring rain.

Miyako visited me, too, her gentle, sweet smile on her face as she poured reassuring whispers in my ear.

Then everything would go black.

Then white.

Then black.

Then white.

Then, strangely, orange.

And I'd be with Ichigo, argueing, smiling, laughing, fighting.

And then Ichigo would no longer be Ichigo.

Then that not-really Ichigo, but still Ichigo nonetheless, would disappear as well.

Then I'd be drenched in blood and tears.

Thereeeee we go!! FINALLY I GOT THIS DONE.

Dang, it was hard to think sumthing up for Rukia while she was having fever-dreams... I ended up just doing first person... sorry if its confusing...

0.0 this fic is fast becoming AU... i better change my summary...

Thanks for reading, and pleeeeze review, it makes me feel smart and entertaining.

Hope you enjoyed! (smile smile happy smile)