Well, here's the first chapter, Prologue if you want to call it that, for my newest fanfic. It hasn't got a name as of yet, so if ye have any suggestions, please either put them in a review or PM them to me.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or the story in Bleach, they belong, as far as i know, to Tite Kubo, and all glory to him for making this manga. This is for no reason produced as a mean for making money, as it sees only to the enjoyment of the readers.

Without more stalling, on with the story.

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'Symbolizes thoughts'
"Symbolizes speech"
Italics symbolizes Zangetsu

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Damn, dying really sucks. Lying here surrounded by the destruction this battle has wrecked, I can't help but to feel a little sad.

"My family is so gonna kill me..."

This was once a great park where children used to play happily. It'll be a while until it's fixed, but children will probably play here again.

Too bad I won't see it.

Who'd thought it'd end like this? Not me, at least. Heck, I beat Grimmjow, Ulquiorra and Aizen, I'm the friggin hero of the Winter War!

That's all it is. Words. Words don't change you. I'm still the same person i was before all this started.

With a few minor differences, like becoming a shinigami, evolving to a vaizard, beating a bucket-load of power crazy or illusionized madmen. Sometimes both.

Heck, I even managed to make some friends along the way.

Rukia, the one that first awakened my powers, the only girl I've ever fallen in love with. Deep, hard and painfully.

Ishida, I hate his guts, but he can hold his own, and is pretty smart. I can't even compare most of the times.

Chad, probably my best friend. Damn he's strong! A little too silent from time to time though, but no less dependable.

Tatsuki, my only childhood friend. I still remember how you beat me in karate, all those years back. Damn I sucked!

Orihime, now there's a strange girl! I don't understand how she can stomach that stuff she calls food. Seems like she had a pretty heavy crush on me, though she never did anything about it.

Well, they're not here anymore. By my side.

Tatsuki left, because of my attitude. Being called a hero went to my head, ya know? She's supposedly opened a Dojo of her own, in the neighbouring town.

Ishida finally accepted his fathers rule, and broke all contact with the shinigami. I heard he's working as an intern at his dads hospital now.

Orihime is dating Ishida, he finally managed to ask her out. To be loyal to him, she also broke contact with the shinigami. I hope that quincy takes good care of her. She's studying to be a kindergarten teacher.

Chad is in a band with a couple of other guys, and he's a killer on the bass. Never been to one of their live shows, but I have a few of their albums. That one's my fault, too. Pushed him away when Rukia left, "never talk to me again" I said to him. He's obeyed.

Rukia... After the war, the hollows settled down. She was no longer needed here in karakura, or so the general-commander of the gotei 13 believed. Byakuya has been keeping her in soul society, under his careful watch.

Shinji, of the Vaizards, got married to Hiyori last summer. Got a letter from Hachi a week ago, saying they're already expecting a son to be born in another 3 months. Hiyori must be a royal pain in the ass about now.

'Hey, Zangetsu, we did it, didn't we?'

Yes, Ichigo. Your other self is nowhere to be found.

'Great... at least he's gone. Thanks for following me this far, old man'

I am your power. Without you, I don't exist and without me, you wouldn't survive.

After finishing off a large number of medium to high level hollows, my hollow decided it was a good opportunity to try and break out.

This is the result. He's gone, forever, and I'm...

Dying, from fighting my own shadow, the other side of the coin.

I can hear footsteps getting closer. I try to turn my head, but my body just won't obey me anymore. The distinct sound of wood hits my ear, and I manage a little smile.

"H..ey.. Ura..hara..-san. I guess...this is" cough cough "goodbye"

It seems he's saying something, but I'm too far gone to hear what.

As I start to feel my consciousness slipping, something touches my forehead, and it fills me with a gentle feeling. i guess he performed Kônso on me.

Not that I mind.

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The hell butterfly lands on my outstretched finger. The message is relayed.

"Message to all captains of the Gotei 13: At 09.33.58 AM this morning, Kurosaki Ichigo, Honorary Substitute Shinigami, Hero from the Winter War, died. Ex-commander of the 12th Squad, Urahara Kisuke, unfortunately came too late, just in time to perform a Kônso for the deceased hero. All captains are hereby commanded to attend the special meeting, being held at 11.15 am, to discuss this unexpected event, and what to do with Substitute Kurosaki."

A smile lights up my face. So he's dead, eh?

The bells in my hair jingle as I rise from my chair and moves across the room, alerting my lieutenant of my intentions.

"Hey hey, Ken-chan! I'm coming too, wait for me!" my pink haired companion shouts, swiftly jumping onto my shoulder. "So, where we going, Ken-chan?"

I look at her, smiling.

"Seems like my favorite punch-bag has died, and is on his way here right now. I'm off to a meeting about it"

"Whaaat?! Ichi died? Yay! I haven't seen him for soooo loong! I missed him soooo much!"

Yachiru jumps down from my shoulders, and start doing what she calls her "happy-happy dance".

"Ichi's coming! Ichi's coming!" she suddenly stops, huge grin in her face. " You think he brought me any candy?"

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Hope it didn't get too depressing at the start. But hey, who can stay depressed when Kenpachi and Yachiru enters the stage? Not me, at least.

So, tell me what you think, have got a second chapter done already. Constructive criticism is much welcomed.

Well, since it's 5 minutes past 2 AM here in Sweden as I'm filling this rant, I'll post it and then sleep.

Cya! /Soil