And now I give you... chapter one. Hope you enjoy. :] (Just to clarify: this is long before the prelude, as the next few chapter will be.)

The Fallen

Chapter 1: Darkness

EXOutlaw

"Rukia Kuchiki," called a raspy voice.

Everything was black. Everything was silent.

"Show yourself!" Rukia shouted back. She looked around attempting to find the origin of the voice. Suddenly, the black began to fade, raising the curtain on her childhood town, the Rukon District. All was without color.

The woman watched as the townspeople passed her by, none of them seeming to notice her presence. "What trickery is this?" She called out. No one answered.

It was then she saw a familiar scene. Renji Abarai along with a few others from her family unit stealing sweets from a street-side merchant. He chased after them, only to be foiled by her childhood self. Everything fell still. Everything except her younger existent self, who paced toward her. The child began to change. Her face became completely pale. Her irises illuminated an ominous yellow. The corners of her mouth raised into a devilish smile. She looked up to her older counterpart. "What's the matter Rukia Kuchiki?" Asked the same raspy voice as before.

The woman shrieked as she opened her eyes to find herself in her own room, within the Kuchiki manor. Almost simultaneously, Byakuya crashed through the sliding door, his eyes vigilant and alert, his blade drawn. "What is it?" He inquired, alarmed.

"Brother," she gasped. Upon recovering from shock she responded, "I just had a nightmare, that's all."

He sheathed his Zanpakuto. The look on his face seemed irritated. "I see."

"I'm sorry," the woman apologized, her head drooped.

"It's fine." He walked out the room without saying another word. The sliding door clunked shut, taking all other sound with it.

Rukia eased her way back down onto her pallet, pulling the covers up to her chest. She raised a hand just above her face. What is this strange feeling? She thought to herself. I've been having these dreams for just over a month now. What in the world could they mean? She pulled a pillow over her face. Ichigo... I need you right now to help me through this.


Rukia Kuchiki sat on the ledge of the cliff overlooking the site of the Squad 13 training grounds. The spot was peaceful, and perfect for some self-reflection time. She sat propped back on her arms, her eyes closed.

Jushiro Ukitaki walked up from behind her, and sat down next to her. She opened her eyes, and gasped.

"What's the matter Rukia?" He chuckled.

"Captain Ukitaki!" She flinched. "You caught me off guard," she replied warmly.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he apologized, grabbing the back of his neck as a humorous gesture. "What are you doing out here, Rukia? You seem troubled." She looked at him with pained eyes.

"I've been having this feeling, lately," she answered.

"What sort of feeling?"

"Lately, I've felt as if I no longer have complete control of myself, like I could just loose myself and become somebody else entirely."

The captain perched his chin between his thumb and index finger. After a moment he looked her in the eyes. "Rukia, you are one of the strongest willed people I know, and there's not a single doubt in my mind that you will pull through this."

"Captain..." The woman trailed off. He nodded his head.

"Remember, if you ever have any troubles that I, the squad, and even your brother will all be there for you."

"Thank you, captain," Rukia spoke, after a moment, with a wry smile.

"Anytime, Rukia." He rose, then dusted himself off. "Now then, would you like to join me for tea with Shunsui?"

"Thank you, but I'd like stay here for a while longer."

"Take care of yourself Rukia." He placed his hand on her shoulder, then walked back towards Seireitei.

Walking through the forest on the way back to Seireitei, Rukia felt a strange, heavy spiritual pressure. "Who goes there?" She shouted. The leaves of trees rustled. Suddenly, a garganta opened. A hollow stepped out. It's mask was different than most. It was smooth, and looked very much like a human face, the mouth a perpetual frown. It's body was cloaked with a dark aura rising from it.

The girl gasped. It's spiritual pressure is like that of a captain. No, maybe even greater. She took step back. Her face was dripping with sweat. Is this... a vasto lorde? She drew her Zanpakuto. Before she could even swing it the hollow had already swung at her. She broke the tree that she had flown against. She rose back up, taking a defensive stance. Suddenly the hollow pulled a Zanpakuto of it's own from beneath it's cloak. Rukia's eyes widened. It's not a hollow at all! The creature stabbed her just below the sternum. Her body reflexively fell forward, blood hemorrhaged from her mouth.

Rukia, why don't you let me take care of this? A raspy voice within her head chuckled.

Who are? Get out of my head!

She lost control of her body. Her hands clenched and trembled. She shrieked, then her head turned toward the ground.

"Rukia!" Shouted Ukitaki running into the battleground, along with Kyoraku.

Her body went still. Then, spiritual pressure shook the air.

"Rukia!?" Ukitaki called again, his voice filled with urgency.

All was silent for a moment. The woman's head rose. She kicked her foe back, then pulled the blade from her body, as if it were nothing. She then turned to the captains. Their eyes both widened.

"Sorry, but she's not currently in the building," she spoke in an ominous voice. Half of her face was covered by a mask. The other half was sneering darkly. "But I would happy to take a message for you."

To be continued..


Hope you all liked it. :D Please review and let me know what you think. Visitors can review to, so feel free, I don't know what everyone thinks without em. :] I'll have another chapter up for you next week, so see you then!