A/N: "Amor Fati" means love of fate in Latin. I thought of starting this story for a while now. Let me know what you guys think of it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach

It started in Autumn.

I was aimlessly wandering the streets of Hueco Mundo without particularly looking for anything. I had my katana strapped on my left hip as I was holding it with my hand. I've developed a habit of pushing the handle of the katana upwards with my thumb then retracting it to hear the sound of it as it would fall back in place. I don't know why but it helps keep my mind at ease during these lone walks I have. Out of the four seasons in a year, I definitely liked Autumn the most. It was a season for change. I found it comforting that at least change wasn't impossible. However, change was something impossible for me.

People would look at me with fear in their eyes as if I were a monster. I couldn't blame them after the numerous people I've killed. Around here I was known as "Murcielago" because most of my victims fall during the night. I do not choose who to kill, my clients do so. It does not matter to me why they needed to be disposed of or eliminated. In fact, nothing really mattered to me as long as I was paid and that I'd accomplish the mission successfully. I was a swordsman yet had the heart of an assassin.

Most swordsmen around here join guilds or legions but I prefer being solo. I do not need Camaraderie. It makes one weak, vulnerable and very susceptible. I do not get why people enjoy the company of others if eventually their bonds would break. Maybe it was something they needed to hold on to for a certain amount of time, temporary if you call it. However what I need was permanence and stability.

I came across the bar I was frequent at and entered. I was greeted by the owner, Urahara who as usual had a huge grin on his face while talking with his frequent girl costumers. I sat on my table on the other end of the room placing my katana on the seat next to mine. I sat for about 5 minutes before standing up and reaching towards the painting that was hung behind my usual spot. There as usual, was a folded paper stuck to its back. This is how some of my clients would contact me. I carefully got the paper and placed the picture frame back to its original position making sure it was aligned before sitting down and reading the contents.

It was another killing job. I needed to eliminate a boy named Ichigo Kurosaki. Attached to the paper were some background histories about the boy, some useful information and a marked map on where he was mostly frequent at. Given the amount the client was willing to pay, I would say this boy would be one hell of an opponent. I was about to leave but caught Urahara's eye signal. It meant that I should stay for a while. I watched him bid farewell towards the young women as they made their exit.

"Another job?" he asked as he approached to take the seat beside me. I simply nodded. "You know, the brunette I was talking to seemed interested in you. She asked if you were frequent around here." I glared at him knowing well enough that there was something far more important he was about to tell me. He sighed "With your good looks you could get any woman to chase you but it seems you're only interested in chasing guys." He chuckled to himself. I was getting impatient.

Then suddenly his expression changed as he stared intensely towards me. "Ichigo Kurosaki is dangerous. Back out now. You don't need money what you need is a longer life." I simply stared back at him "I do not back out from any job" He sighed in defeat knowing that I do not give up a fight so easily and that talking sense into me was futile. "I did warn you." He stood up and motioned to get back to his counter to entertain the new customers that just arrived. "Come back alive though will you?" He waved towards me. I got up and strapped my katana on my hip again as I left the bar.

After intensive planning, strategy planning and days of searching, I finally found him at a clearing in the woods. I did my best to be discreet as possible which was one of my forte. He was swinging his sword left and right while doing different fighting stances. Based from what I could see, he was indeed no amateur. I waited for the perfect moment to strike as I pushed the handle of my katana upwards with my thumb getting ready. When I found the perfect moment to strike, I was a hundred percent sure I would hit him. I was wrong. He quickly dodged my blade and countered right away. He must have known my presence for a while now. How interesting. I dodged his strike as I bent backwards at the same time thrusting my sword forward in hopes that I would hit him. He dodged it as well. "Who sent you?" I did not reply and received another attack as he leapt towards me. I dodged just in time and was about to counter when in a flash, he was in front of me. Before I knew it, he sent my katana flying and I felt something painful as I realized his sword pierced me. I slowly fell backwards.

The fight was over before it started. I lost horribly. I'm pathetic. Just like that, the great Murcielgo was defeated.

I was lying on my back trying my best to keep breathing. I looked over to my left and there, was a single orange leaf beside me with drops of most likely, my blood on it. I kept staring at it as if I wasn't about to die any moment now. It was indeed a beautiful color even more beautiful as it was tainted by red spots. From the corner of my eye I watched him approach me ready to deliver the final blow but before I could feel the pain that would send me to the other world, everything turned white.

I awoke trying to focus my eyes on something, anything. I was met with the color orange. Just like the last thing I saw before I blacked out. I tried to reach for it but was met with a hand. Then my eyes regained their focus. Staring at me with such emotions in her eyes was a girl. No one ever looked at me with those kind of eyes before.

This is where it all started. Autumn was indeed my favorite.

A/N: Please Review and tell me what you think of it so far