Faceless

This is the sequel to 'Hell on Earth.' It's not that neccesary to read the first one as they arent really linked. Contains implied sex scenes, gore and coarse language. This starts off a day before the end of Hell on Earth.

In Shadow

RUKONGAI – DISTRICT 80

Darkness consumed the small district. Even fire was a luxury to the citizens, so only a few stray houses actually had light. The rest lay nestled in the shadows where the citizens awful acts could not be seen.

A thug with straggly brown hair juggled a knife. He was bored and decided to do a house call. He approached an invisble house. A foul stench like rotting meat escaped from under the door. The thug grasped his nose. He kicked the door in and slashed blindly at the darkess.

Nothing happened.

"Hey!! Anybody home?" The thug felt uneasy. But there was nothing there. How could he be scared of something that isn't there. It was so stupid, he laughed to himself.

Someone else laughed.

The thug whirled and was knocked down by a thunderous hit. He staggered to his feet and ran, but footsteps followed.

The thug reached a fire-lit house. In the fire-light the attacker was clearly visible.

What? This can't be!!

The attacker looked the exact same as the thug.

"Who are you?" The thug backed into the wall and stabbed a finger at the attacker.

"I...am...you." The attacker had perfectly mimicked his voice.

He sounds like me too!!

The attackers hand morphed into a boney white hand. Sharp talons slid out of the fingertips.

"What the fuck are you?!"

The attacker never answered.

The thug never got a chance to scream...

*****

SEREITEI 13th SQUAD BARRACKS

TWO DAYS LATER

Ichigo's eyelids lazily rose half up. He tried to raise his head but it felt like it weighed a ton. He rolled over and gazed at the back of someones head with glistening, raven hair. A thin feminine arm held the blankets close.

Two shinagami uniforms were scattered around the bed.

Ichigo found the strength to get up. The covers were dragged down as he got out. He gazed at the exposed body of the girl he slept with.

The girl twitched and rolled over.

Ichigo found himself eyeing her gentle curves and private areas. Ichigo slid back into the bed and next to the girl. As Ichigo felt the girl's flesh against his, his whole body tingled. He wrapped an arm around her and planted his lips on hers.

*****

Ichigo woke again but was no longer tired. The girl still slept silently. Ichigo carresed her back. Her body was warm and comforting. He sighed and mist escaped his mouth. Ichigo looked out the window.

The sky was darkened and heavy rain spat on the windows. Fog had misted up the windows and made it hard to see outside.

Ichigo finally decided to get out. After all, the girl lived with him anyway.

He tugged his kimono on, followed by the rest of his uniform. He lastly snatched his sword. The gleaming dark steel showed Ichigo his reflection. Ichigo wrapped it in cloth and secured it onto his back while striding over to the door. He overheard light footsteps on the other side and wrenched the door open.

A blonde haired girl crawled hurriedly away from the door.

"Kiyone, What are you doing?" Ichigo crossed his arms.

"Well...um...he he...Spying." She giggled sheepishly. She tilted her head to look past Ichigo. "She's awake now."

Ichigo spun on his feet to see the girl rise slightly, rubbing her eyes. The blankets fell down and the others blushed at sight of her bare breasts.

Ichigo averted his gaze.

Kiyone elbowed him. "Why the hell are you acting all embarrased. You slept with her!"

The girl opened her eyes fully. They shone a vibrant, dark ocean blue.

Ichigo lost himself in her eyes and failed to realise that the girl was talking to him.

She blinked and the hypnotic spell was over.

Ichigo just stated blankly. "What?"

Kiyone hit him again. "Rukia asked what time it was you stupid moron. Stop staring at her boobs and answer her!"

Ichigo's face went bright red. "I wasn't looking at her bo...I mean um...early."

Rukia nodded and turned around. She bent down to pick up her uniform.

Again, Ichigo stared at her exposed body.

"At least try to hide it!" Kiyone slapped him.

Ichigo snarled and swung his arm out.

Kiyone dodged and then stood next to him. She raised her eyebrows as she gazed at Rukia. "Nice choice. Wish I could look like that at a hundred and fifty."

Ichigo swiped at her again.

She bounded down the hall laughing.

"So...We go back today." Rukia slipped into her uniform.

Ichigo hunched over. His stomach burned for a second then returned to normal.

"Are you alright?" Rukia asked.

"Yeah. I think I might go for a walk for an hour or two." Ichigo stood up and left.

Rukia watched him leave.

That reiatsu right now...It felt like Ichigo's hollow form!

*****

Ichigo approached the guards at the gate to Rukongai. He showed them his badge and the guards stepped aside.

The massive stone wall rose slowly. A whirlwind of dust blew into their faces.

Ichigo walked out of Sereitei and looked at the sky. The rain had let up for a while. The clouds retreated and let the sun come forth.

Ichigo wandered around through the various districts. As he neared the 80th district he remembered that it was full of murderers and thugs. He turned away.

A glowing eye watched him leave.

*****

80th DISTRICT RUKONGAI

NEXT DAY

Toshiro Hitsugaya patroled rukongai. He hated doing it but it was his shift. Things were unusually quiet. There was no noise, no movement...nothing.

A corpse lay outside a run-down wooden hut. Blood was splattered all over the door.

Toshiro ran a hand through his siver hair. The blood on the ground looked dry. This had happened a day or two ago.

A loud scream came from further up the road.

Toshiro unsheathed his sword and ran to where the sound came from. A woman collapsed in a heap as her blood sprayed onto a familiar face.

Toshiro froze in place.

"I...I...Ichigo?"

This chapter didn't end up very long, but they will get longer. Please review.