Author Note:

My first try, don't flame too hard.
Sorry for out of character moments, but hey, they get so little screen time it's hard to tell what's out of character.
Please review, I'm open to any constructive criticism.

Also, this story is complete now, but may still undergo small edits as I re-read it.

Disclaimer:I don't own Bleach, just my story.

: Prologue :

A black-haired woman sat at a wooden desk, a weak shaft of moonlight barely shining through closed shutters onto her writing surface, distracting her momentarily from her work. The scant light reflected off the still wet ink glistening on the paper, giving each letter a brief glow until they dried, then coming to life again as another line was written.

Suddenly the brush stopped its dance across the white surface, ending with a flourish as the writer signed her name, Nanao Ise. She paused for a second, watching as the last ink dried, and the reflection from the moonlight died away. It reminded her of herself, of her life, given a brief moment to shine, only for it to fade away in an instant.

Nanao forced herself to return to her paperwork, return to her life. She told herself that her existence should be based on what was real and not imaginary, what she could hold on to and not be disappointed in. She ordered herself to give up all thoughts of love. That is what she told herself, yet somewhere inside she knew she would have to face the facts and quit hiding. She knew that, someday, she'd have to stop running from the only thing that might be her salvation…

: End Prologue :

End Note: A bit angsty and short, I know, but think of it more as an introduction to my story; more like something you'd read on the back of a book than the actual story.