So, this is my first Bleach fanfic. I hope you all enjoy it. Please review. Constructive criticism is always greatly appreciated. Aaaaaand, yep, that's about it. :)

I don't own Bleach. There. NOW that's it. :D

Take It All Away

Prologue: One Second

One second.

One second to process what was happening and to act. There had been no thinking involved. This was one of the few times that she had acted solely on impulse. In one second she saw the bright-haired shinigami slouched against the wall and the cold-hearted espada attacking without mercy. She was powerless. Most of the Shun Shun Rika had been damaged from fighting off hollows, rendering them useless. In one second she realized there was only one thing she could do. And in one second she reacted.

It wasn't as bad as she always imagined it would be. There was no pain. Just a numbing sensation as the cold blade tore through her heart. She felt herself falling, heard the boy's shouts behind her, stared at the emotionless face of her enemy.

Then, the chain broke. That was the worst part. She felt breathless and weak and a gripping pain pulsed through her chest as she stared at her lifeless body sprawled on the floor trying to register what had taken place. And in a world full of hollows who relied on souls to give them life, she hadn't stood a chance.

One second, and her world was changed forever.